SUREr 


YJXSC&. 

I 

* 
a 

j 

(j 
> 
i 

r 


LIBRARY 

OF  THE 

UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA 

GIFT  OF 

MRS.  MARY  WOLFSOHN 

IN  MEMORY  OF 

HENRY  WOLFSOHN 


,' 

r 


THE  ALGER  SERIES  for  BOYS 

Uniform  with  This  Volume. 

This  series  affords  wholesome  reading  for  boys  and  girls,  and  all  the 
volumes  are  extremely  interesting.— Cincinnati  Commercial-Gazette. 

JOE'S  LUCK  ;  or,  A  Brave  Boy's  Advent  arer,  in  California.    By 

HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 
JULIAN  MORTIMER :  or,  A  Brave  Boy's  Struggles  for  Home 

and  Fortune.    By  HARRY  CASTLEMON. 
ADRIFT  IN  THE  WILDS ;  or.  The  Adventures  of  Two  Ship- 

wrecked  Boys.    By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS. 
FRANK  FOWLER,  THE  CASH  BOY.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 


GUY  HARRIS,  THE  RUNAWAY.    By  HARRY  CASTLEMON. 

THE  SLATE-PICKER  ;  A  Story  of  a  Boy's  Life  in  the  Goal 

Mines.    By  HARRY  PRENTICE. 
TOM  TEMPLE'S  CAREER.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 

TOM,  THE  READY  ;  or,  Up  from  the  Lowest.  By  RANDOLPH  HILL. 
THE  CASTAWAYS ;  or,  On  the  Florida  Reefs.    By  JAMES  OTIS. 

CAPTAIN  KIDD'S  GOLD.    The  True  Story  of  an  Adventurous 

Sailor  Boy.    By  JAMES  FRANKLIN  FITTS. 
TOM  THATCHER'S  FORTUNE.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 

LOST  IN  THE  CANON.  The  Story  of  Sam  Willett's  Adventures 

on  the  Great  Colorado  of  the  West.    By  ALFRED  R.  CALHOUN. 
A  YOUNQ  HERO  ;  or,  Fighting  to  Win.    By  EDWARD  S.  ELLIS. 

THE  ERRAND  BOY ;  or,  How  Phil  Brent  Won  Success.     By 

HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 
THE  ISLAND  TREASURE ;  or,  Harry  Barrel's  Fortune.  By 

FRANK  H.  CONVERSE. 
A  RUNAWAY  BRIG ;  or,  An  Accidental  Cruise.  By  JAMES  OTIS. 

to  the 

s. 
Became  King 

TOM  THE  BOOT-BLACK ;  or,  The  Road  to  Success.    By  HORATIO 

ALGER,  JR. 
BOY  GILBERT'S  SEARCH.    A  Tale  of  the  Great  Lakes.    By 

WILLIAM  P.  CHIPMAN. 
THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  A  Boy's  Adventures  in  Nicara- 

ugra.    By  JAMES  OTIS. 
BUDD  BOYD'S  TRIUMPH;  or,  The  Boy  Firm  of  Fox  Island. 

By  WILLIAM  P.  CHIPMAN. 
TONY,  THE  HERO ;  or,  A  Brave  Boy's  Adventures  with  a 

Tramp.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 
CAPTURED  BY  ZULUS.    A  Story  of  Trapping  in  Africa.    By 

HARRY  PRENTICE. 

THE  TRAIN  BOY.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 
DAN  THE  NEWSBOY.    By  HORATIO  ALGER,  JR. 
SEARCH   FOR  THE  SILVER  CITY.     A  Story  of  Adventure 

in  Yucatan.    By  JAMES  OTIS. 
THE  BOY  CRUISERS  ;  or,  Paddling  in  Florida.    By  ST.  GEORGK 

RATH  BORNE. 

The  above  stories  are  printed  on  extra  paper,  and  bound  In 
Handsome  Cloth  Binding,  in  all  respects  uniform  with  this 
volume,  at  $1.OO  per  copy. 

•  *  «* 


Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  big-  canoe.    The  Indians  were  overhauling 
their  intended  prey  rapidly.— (See  page  207.) 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


A  Boy's  Adventures  in  Nicaragua. 


BY  JAMES  OTIS. 

Author  of 


A    Runaway  Brig,"   "The   Castaways,"  "Toby  Tyler,"  "Mr.   Stubbs' 
Brother,"  "  Silent  Pete,"  etc.,  etc. 


ILLUSTRATED. 


NEW  YORK: 
A.  L.  BURT,  PUBLISHER. 


COPYRIGHT  1889,  BY  A.  L.  BURT. 


THE  TREASURE -FINDERS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

THE   INDIGO    PLANTATION. 

BY  FOLLOWING  up  the  river  to  its  source  and 
then  keeping  in  the  valley  we  can  reach  the 
ruins  in  one  day.  Thirty-six  hours  there  will  give 
us  plenty  of  time  in  which  to  hunt  and  to  be  home 
again  before  father  comes." 

"  But  I'm  not  sure  I  should  like  to  loaf  around  the 
ruins  after  dark.  Tongla  says  those  who  go  there 
see  horrible  sights." 

"  Why,  Dean  Coloney,  are  you  frightened  at  the 
stories  of  an  Indian  boy  like  Tongla  ?" 

"  It  isn't  fair  to  say  I  am  frightened,  Roy,  simply 
because  I  don't  care  about  visiting  a  lot  of  tumble- 
down buildings  in  which  no  one  has  lived  for  hun- 
dreds of  years." 

"  Perhaps  not ;  but  it  seems  very  much  like  it. 
Before  he  went  to  Granada,  father  said  we  might  go 
for  a  long  hunt,  and  there  won't  be  another  chance 
this  season,  for  it  is  nearly  time  to  extract  the  in- 
digo, when  both  of  us  must  remain  here." 

"I  would  be  perfectly  willing  if  you  hadn't  got 

147037 


6  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

into  your  head  the  crazy  idea  of  exploring  the 
ruins." 

"Will  you  be  satisfied  if  I  promise  not  to  stay 
near  them  except  during  the  day-time  ?" 

"With  that  agreement  I'll  be  only  too  glad  to 
go." 

"  Then  it  is  settled.  Let's  begin  to  get  ready  now, 
so  as  to  be  able  to  start  at  sunrise  on  the  day  after 
to-morrow." 

While  the  boys  are  preparing  for  the  proposed  ex- 
cursion it  may  be  well  to  formally  introduce  them  as 
Boy  and  Dean,  sons  of  Myron  Coloney. 

The  former  was  a  stout-limbed  lad  who  had  just 
passed  his  eighteenth  birthday,  while  the  latter,  two 
years  younger,  seemed  all  too  delicate  for  such  a  life 
as  his  coarse  shooting-jacket,  thick  knee-boots  and 
belt,  in  which  was  carried  the  long  knife  or  sword 
known  as  a  "  machete,"  gave  apparent  evidence  that 
he  followed.  Both  the  boys  were  browne'd  by  many 
weeks  of  exposure  to  a  tropical  sun,  and  looked  so 
thoroughly  "American"  as  to  contrast  strangely 
with  their  surroundings. 

Eight  months  previous  Mr.  Coloney  was  a  mer- 
chant in  New  York  City ;  but,  meeting  with  severe 
losses  which  threatened  speedily  to  bankrupt  him  if 
some  change  was  not  made,  he  removed  to  the  de- 
partment of  Granada,  in  the  State  of  Nicaragua, 
where,  several  years  before,  a  tract  of  land  had  been 
leased  by  himself  and  a  number  of  other  gentlemen 
for  the  purpose  of  raising  and  manufacturing  indigo 
on  a  large  scale. 

The  scheme  was  a  failure,  owing  to  the  incompe- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  7 

tency  of  the  overseer,  and  the  property  remained 
idle  until  Mr.  Colon ey  took  charge,  in  the  hope  of 
retrieving  his  fortunes. 

Roy  and  Dean  accompanied  him,  and  had  ren- 
dered no  slight  assistance,  working  like  men,  until 
the  broad  fields  gave  every  indication  of  large 
returns  for  the  outlay  of  labor. 

Now,  within  the  next  ten  days,  the  boys  were 
expecting  to  see  their  mother.  She  had  remained 
in  New  York  while  the  experiment  was  being  tried, 
but  at  the  first  real  sign  of  success  signified  her  in- 
tention of  joining  her  loved  ones.  Mr.  Coloney  left 
the  plantation  three  days  previous  to  meet  her,  and 
as  it  was  hardly  probable  he  could  get  back  in  less 
than  two  weeks  from  the  time  of  departure,  the 
boys  had  ample  opportunity  to  make  the  proposed 
excursion  before  their  parents  arrived. 

The  estate  comprised  three  hundred  acres  situated 
on  the  river  Mayales,  about  fifteen  miles  north  of 
the  town  of  Juigalpa,  and  within  sight  of  the 
mountain  range  where  has  been  found  so  many 
evidences  of  a  highly  civilized  but  now  extinct  race. 
To  one  living  in  this  country  the  dwelling-house 
would  appear  very  odd ;  it  was  a  low,  rambling 
building,  covering  as  much  ground  as  we  would  think 
necessary  for  forty  homes,  inclosed  with  high  walls, 
shaded  by  mango-trees,  and  surrounded  by  flowers 
of  every  color,  among  which  flitted  gorgeously-hued 
birds. 

In  this  charming  spot  the  boys  thought  life  well 
worth  the  living,  even  though  they  were  deprived  of 
any  society  save  such  as  might  be  found  within  the 


8  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

walls,  and  hut  for  the  wonderful  stories,  as  told  by 
Tongla,  of  the  ruins  which  lay  on  the  other  side  of 
the  mountain 'range,  Hoy  might  not  have  cared  to 
extend  his  hunting  trip  beyond  sight  of  the  planta- 
tion. 

Despite  all  his  fears  Dean  was  forced  to  yield  to 
the  fascination  of  exploring  a  city  whose  inhabit- 
ants had  passed  away  before  the  present  race  of 
people  sprung  into  existence ;  but  he  strictly  opposed 
any  such  research  as  would  necessitate  their  remain- 
ing at  the  place  during  those  hours  when,  according 
to  the  tales  of  the  Indians,  evil  spirits  lay  in  wait  to 
entrap  the  stranger. 

Once  the  expedition  had  been  decided  upon,  both 
boys  hurried  forward  the  preparations,  for  there 
was  very  much  to  be  done.  It  was  necessary  the 
servants  should  cook  plenty  of  tortillas,  mix  the 
paste  of  sweetened  maize,  called  pozol,  and  bake  and 
dry  totopostes. 

This  extra  amount  of  labor,  to  be  performed  after 
the  servants  supposed  the  day's  work  was  nearly 
ended,  quite  naturally  caused  considerable  excite- 
ment, and  before  the  boys  had  finished  overhauling 
the  weapons,  Tongla,  breathless  and  warm  because 
of  the  unusual  exertion  of  running,  entered  the 
court-yard. 

"  Is  it  quite  true  the  young  masters  would  visit 
the  city  beyond  the  range  ?"  he  asked,  speaking  En- 
glish so  imperfectly  that,  as  Dean  said,  "  it  became 
an  entirely  different  language." 

"  That  is  the  exact  truth,  my  dear  boy,  and  you 
are  to  go  with  us,"  Roy  replied,  laughingly. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  9 

"  But  a  man  is  not  able  to  walk  there  and  back  to 
the  hills  before  the  sun  sets,  even  though  he  may 
start  at  break  of  day." 

"  We  can  stay  all  night  in  the  woods,  I  suppose," 
and  Roy  observed  the  Indian  closely  as  he  spoke. 

"  There  where  the  Sukia  women  say  the  evil  spirit 
has  taken  up  his  abode  ?"  Tongla  asked,  with  no  at- 
tempt at  disguising  his  fear. 

"  We  shall  stay  there,  although  nobody  believes 
such  stories,  which  were  concocted  for  the  purpose 
of  frightening  children.  If  you  want  to  make  the 
trip,  well  and  good ;  otherwise  we  can  find  plenty 
who  do  not  place  such  faith  in  those  whom  you  call 
the  '  mother  of  tigers.'  Will  you  go  ?" 

"  Have  I  ever  refused  to  do  anything  which  the 
young  masters  wish  ?" 

"  In  the  first  place,  Tongla,  we  are  not  your  mas- 
ters, and  in  the  second  you  are  free  to  act  as  you 
choose.  We  are  going  to  the  ruins  beyond  the 
range ;  if  you  wish  to  accompany  us,  both  Dean 
and  I  will  be  pleased ;  but  it'll  also  be  perfectly  sat- 
isfactory if  you  prefer  to  remain  here." 

"Even  though  the  young  masters  refuse  to  say  I 
am  their  servant,  I  shall  go  with  them,  and  by  their 
side  will  I  be  when  the  evil  spirits  hover  around." 

"  All  of  which  means  that  you  do  not  intend  to 
lose  the  chance  of  having  lots  of  fun,"  Roy  replied, 
laughingly.  "  That's  where  you  are  right,  my  boy, 
and  early  on  the  second  day  from  this  we  start." 

At  least  once  each  day  during  their  eight  months' 
sojourn  on  the  plantation  had  the  boys  tried  to 
teach  Tongla  that  he  should  not  call  them  "mas- 


10  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

ters ;"  but  all  the  labor  had  been  in  vain,  despite  the 
fact  that  he  was  hired  at  regular  wages  like  the 
other  servants ;  and,  what  made  the  matter  seem  yet 
more  aggravating,  he  persisted  in  acting  as  if  he 
was  a  slave. 

"  It  is  a  hobby  of  his  to  fancy  we  own  him,"  Dean 
said,  after  the  Indian  thus  announced  his  intention 
of  attending  them  whatever  supposed  supernatural 
dangers  might  threaten,  "and  I  believe  it  would 
really  give  him  pleasure  if  we  asserted  the  rights  of 
master." 

"  All  of  which  is  fortunate  for  us,  so  far  as  this 
excursion  to  the  ruins  is  concerned.  If  he  refused 
to  go  we  might  be  obliged  to  stay  at  home,  since  he 
is  the  only  guide  we  have  any  authority  from  father 
for  taking." 

Tongla  certainly  worked  like  a  slave  during  the 
time  which  intervened  before  the  party  set  out,  and 
the  fears  of  meeting  with  evil  spirits  were  laid 
aside,  so  far  as  could  be  seen,  in  order  that  the 
proper  arrangements  should  be  made.  He  looked 
after  the  cooks  to  make  sure  the  requisite  amount 
of  provisions  were  prepared;  borrowed  a  second 
spear  as  well  as  a  large  number  of  arrows,  that  he 
might  be  ready  to  make  a  good  defense  in  case  of 
tangible  danger,  and  otherwise  acted  as  if  the  trip 
was  one  in  which  he  felt  the  greatest  interest. 

There  was  no  necessity  of  reminding  him  again 
that  the  travelers  were  to  start  at  early  daybreak. 
At  the  moment  decided  upon  he  awakened  Eoy  and 
Dean,  and  the  boys  found  breakfast  already  pre- 
pared. It  was  only  necessary  they  should  make  a 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  H 

hurried  toilet,  eat  a  hearty  meal  of  fish,  plantains 
and  yams,  after  which  there  was  nothing  to  further 
delay  the  journey. 

"Now  we're  ready,  Tongla,  if  you  are,"  Roy 
said ;  "  and  please  say  to  the  others  that  we  will  be 
back  in  three  days  unless  something  very  serious 
happens." 

"  The  old  Sukia  woman  who  was  here  last  night 
believes  we  shall  be  away  many  days,"  Tongla  re- 
plied, gravely.  "  It  is  not  allowed  that  white  men 
may  see  the  mysteries  of  Kucimen." 

'•  Cince  we  are  only  boys,  perhaps  there'll  be  an 
exception  made  in  our  favor,"  Dean  replied,  with  a 
laugh,  the  Indian's  fears  apparently  reviving  his  own 
courage.  "But  whatever  is  going  to  happen  we 
can't  loaf  around  here  very  much  longer,  or  it  will 
be  impossible  to  reach  those  famous  ruins  before 
dark." 

From  'this  moment  it  seemed  as  if  Tongla  ban- 
ished all  his  fears;  he  hesitated  no  longer,  and 
when  the  others  would  have  delayed  urged  them 
forward  cheerily. 

During  the  first  three  or  four  hours  the  young 
travelers  followed  a  course  nearly  parallel  with  the 
base  of  the  hill  which  jutted  out  on  the  limits  of  the 
Coloney  plantation,  and  through  a  tangled  thicket 
where  Tongla  was  often  forced  to  use  his  machete 
in  order  to  clear  a  path.  Now  and  then  they  forded 
a  small  stream  of  clear  water  which  ran  over  bril- 
liantly-colored pebbles,  where  the  boys  slaked  their 
thirst  with  avidity,  for  these  mountain  brooks  were 
filled  with  water  deliciously  cold.  Then  the  path 


12  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

took  an  upward  turn,  and  the  fatiguing  portion  of 
the  trarnp  was  begun. 

Birds  of  gorgeous  plumage  crossed  their  path  ; 
now  and  then  evidences  of  wild  hogs  were  seen,  and 
more  than  once  the  Indian  rabbits,  or  agoutis, 
offered  tempting  targets  for  the  double-barreled 
fowling-pieces  with  which  the  boys  were  armed ;  but 
not  a  shot  was  fired.  The  desire  to  explore  the 
ruins  outweighed  every  thought  of  sport,  and  the 
fact  that  they  had  only  food  sufficient  for  the  time 
proposed  for  the  journey  prevented  any  waste  of 
ammunition. 

Tongla  led  the  way,  as  if  impatient  to  arrive  at 
the  place  where  so  much  danger  was  to  be  appre- 
hended, and  not  until  the  sun  was  high  in  the  heav- 
ens would  he  agree  to  make  a  halt.  Then  it  was 
the  hour  for  the  siesta,  to  which  the  boys  had  al- 
ready become  accustomed,  and,  after  slinging  the 
light  but  stout  hammocks,  to  guard  against  an  at- 
tack from  snakes  or  venomous  insects,  the  weary 
travelers  gave  themselves  up  to  the  luxury  of 
slumber. 

The  afternoon  was  nearly  half  spent  when  Tongla 
awakened  his  companions  as  he  said : 

"  If  you  would  see  the  walls  of  the  silent  city  be- 
fore dark  it  is  time  we  were  walking." 

"  We  not  only  want  to  see  them,  but  propose  to 
enter  this  very  evening,"  Roy  cried  as  he  sprung  to 
his  feet. 

"It  will  not  be  possible  to  do  that  until  to-mor- 
row," the  Indian  boy  replied.  "  Too  much  time  has 
been  spent  in  slumber." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  13 

Roy  understood  that  Tongla  had  allowed  them  to 
sleep  until  it  was  too  late  to  reach  the  ruins  that 
evening,  and  he  would  have  made  an  angry  reply 
but  for  Dean,  who  whispered  : 

"  There  is  no  use  in  showing  anger  now.  He,  like 
me,  is  afraid  to  go  there  after  dark,  and  nothing  you 
may  say  can  mend  matters.  We'll  make  a  camp  at 
the  base  of  the  hill,  and  by  sunrise  start  again." 

This  was  very  good  advice,  since  it  was  absolutely 
impossible  to  do  anything  else,  and  once  more  the 
boys  followed  their  guide  across  the  mountain  spur, 
making  no  halt  until  the  shadows  of  night  were 
merged  into  gloom,  when  Tongla  stopped  beside  a 
small  stream  as  he  said : 

"  It  is  here  we  sleep.  The  city  is  among  the  trees 
more  than  three  miles  away,  and  you  shall  see  it 
when  the  sun  rises  once  again." 

The  boys  were  decidedly  disappointed  at  being 
forced  to  come  to  a  halt  while  yet  so  far  from  their 
destination ;  but  as  Tongla  had  arranged  the  mat- 
ter, they  could  do  nothing  but  make  their  camp  in 
this  very  convenient  place. 

With  an  armful  of  leaves  from  the  banana-plant 
the  Indian  boy  built  a  shelter  which  would  at  least 
serve  to  protect  them  from  the  dew,  and  a  huge 
camp-fire  was  kindled  in  front  to  frighten  away  the 
wild  beasts  and  monkeys — these  last  animals  being 
feared  more  than  the  first,  because  of  their  power  to 
do  so  much  mischief. 

Camping  oat  in  Nicaragua  is  not  as  pleasant  as  in 
very  many  other  places,  because  of  the  number  of 
creeping  things  which  seem  to  have  been  made  for 


14  TBfl  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

the  especial  purpose  of  causing  a  human  being  dis- 
comfort ;  but  Roy  and  Dean  were  sufficiently  well 
acquainted  with  the  country  to  adopt  all  needful 
precautions,  and  after  a  supper  of  totopostes,  washed 
down  with  water  from  the  brook,  they  clambered 
into  the  hammocks  for  the  needed  rest. 

It  had  been  arranged  that  Tongla  should  remain 
on  watch  during  a  third  of  the  night,  the  others  re- 
lieving him  in  turn  ;  but  this  was  hardly  looked 
upon  as  labor  since  it  was  only  required  to  keep  the 
fire  alive,  and  even  this  did  not  necessitate  the  cut- 
ting of  fuel,  for  the  dye-wood  choppers  had  left 
chips  enough  in  the  vicinity  to  feed  the  flames  many 
hours. 


TBE  T&EASURE-FiNDER8.  15 


CHAPTER  II. 

IN   CAMP. 

THIS  WAS  the  first . extended  tramp  Eoy  and 
Dean  had  taken  among  the  forests  of  Nicara- 
gua, and  both  were  sadly  disappointed  because  there 
had  been  such  a  dearth  of  adventure. 

"We've  seen  small  game  enough,"  Koy  said  as 
they  s \vung  to.  and  fro  in  their  hammocks,  "  but  so 
far  as  anything  else  is  concerned  we  might  as  well 
have  been  in  the  Adirondacks." 

"What  did  you  expect?"  Dean  asked  with  a 
laugh. 

"  I  would  have  felt  satisfied  with  a  drove  of  wild 
hogs — warees,  Tongla  calls  them." 

"  No,  no,"  the  Indian  boy  said,  quickly  ;  "  we  do 
not  want  the  warees.  Too  many  come  together, 
and  it  is  dangerous  to  meet  them." 

"  I'd  like  to  see  one  or  two,  at  all  events,"  Koy  re^ 
plied  ;  and  Tongla  shrugged  his  shoulders  as  if  to  in- 
timate that  he  had  no  such  foolish  desire. 

"  How  far  are  we  from  the  ruins  ?"  Dean  asked 
when  the  Indian  showed  that  he  was  interested  only 
in  keeping  at  a  respectful  distance  from  the  wild 
hogs. 

"  One  hour  after  sunrise  to-morrow  we  shall  bo 
there,  if  all  goes  well  to-night." 


16  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  I  fancy  it  is  safe  to  say  nothing  very  serious 
will  happen  to-night,"  Hoy  said,  as  he  closed  his  eyes 
preparatory  to  indulging  in  slumber. 

Dean  was  rapidly  losing  his  fear  of  the  ruins  be- 
cause their  journey  thus  far  had  been  so  uneventful, 
and,  believing  what  his  brother  said,  was  about  to 
follow  the  latter's  example,  when  Tongla  leaped  to 
his  feet  with  every  appearance  of  most  intense  fear. 

Jumping  from  the  hammock,  Hoy  seized  his  gun 
and  pressed  close  to  the  Indian's  side ;  but  the  latter 
motioned  for  him  to  move  back  into  the  thicket 

"  What's  the  matter  ?"  Dean  asked  nervously  as, 
arming  himself,  he  joined  his  companions. 

"  Hist !  Do  not  speak,  lest  the  eyes  of  the  Sukia 
woman  fall  upon  us  and  prevent  us  from  ever  leav- 
ing this  place.  Go  back  into  the  thicket,  where  you 
cannot  be  seen." 

"What  good  will  that  do?  The  light  of  the  fire 
shows  where  we  are." 

"  I  shall  remain ;  the  Sukia  does  not  harm  one  of 
her  own  race.  Hide  before  it  is  too  late !" 

The  boy  displayed  so  much  fear  that  Roy  and 
Dean  could  do  no  less  than  obey  his  wishes,  even 
though  the  alleged  danger  of  a  glance  from  an  old 
witch's  eyes  had  no  terrors  for  them.  They  crept 
into  the  underbrush  where  it  would  be  possible  to 
see  all  that  took  place,  and  watched  eagerly  for  the 
form  which  Tongla  thought  so  terrible. 

During  the  conversation,  and  for  several  moments 
after  the  boys  were  hidden,  nothing  save  the  usual 
night-sounds  of  the  forest  could  be  heard,  and  those 
in  hiding  were  beginning  to  believe  their  companion 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  17 

had  been  mistaken,  when  a  low,  wailing  cry  or  song 
rose  and  fell  on  the  air,  as  if  from  a  very  great 
distance. 

"They  are  not  coming  this  way,"  Dean  Whis- 
pered. "  Tongla  has  heard  so  much  about  Sukias 
that  he  gets  frightened  at  his  own  shadow.  I  be- 
lieve that  noise  is  made  by  a  bird." 

"  He  doesn't  think  so,"  and  Roy  pointed  to  where 
the  Indian  boy  stood  silent  and  motionless  save  for 
a  slight  swaying  of  his  body  to  and  fro,  gazing  out 
into  the  gloom  like  one  fascinated  by  some  horrible 
sight. 

Nearer  and  nearer  the  wailing  cry  approached 
until  there  could  no  longer  be  any  question  but  that 
it  was  made  by  human  beings.  Now  and  then  a 
sharp  scream,  as  if  caused  by  intense  pain,  mingled 
with  the  weird  sounds,  making  the  general  effect 
decidedly  terrifying  to  one  of  weak  nerves. 

Nearly  ten  minutes  elapsed  before  those  in  the 
thicket  could  see  the  approaching  party,  and  then 
there  passed  within  a  few  feet  of  the  fire,  as  if  un- 
conscious of  its  nearness,  a  wrinkled  old  crone,  clad 
in  a  single  garment  of  white,  which  left  the  shriv- 
eled arms  exposed.  She  it  was  who  chanted  the  dis- 
mal song  as  she  waved  her  hands  to  and  fro ;  and 
immediately  behind  followed  a  party  of  natives,  all 
reeling  as  if  drunk,  and  occasionally  giving  vent  to 
cries,  as  if  in  pain. 

They  marched  straight  onward,  looking  neither 
to  the  right  nor  the  left,  much  as  if  under  the  influ- 
ence of  some  drug,  and  the  statue-like  Tongla  was 
unheeded,  evidently  to  his  great  relief. 


18  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"When  the  unpleasant-looking  procession  disap- 
peared in  the  black  forest,  Hoy  and  Dean  would 
have  come  from  their  hiding-place,  but  the  Indian 
boy's  quick  ear  caught  the  rustling  of  the  leaves  as 
they  arose,  and  he  whispered,  hoarsely : 

"Go  back,  if  you  wish  to  live!  Remain  there 
until  the  voices  of  those  who  speak  with  the  gods 
can  no  longer  be  heard.'1 

"  He  will  certainly  die  of  fright  if  we  venture  to 
disobey,"  Roy  said  to  his  brother.  "  We  may  as 
well  stay  here  a  few  minutes  longer ;  but  so  far  as 
our  lives  are  in  danger,  that  is  all  nonsense.  I'd  as 
soon  meet  the  entire  disreputable  party  if  I  had  my 
gun." 

"  They  must  be  able  to  work  some  harm,  for  there 
isn't  an  Indian  on  the  plantation  who  would  will- 
ingly pass  a  Sukia  woman  when  she  marches  out  at 
night  with  some  of  her  most  promising  followers." 

"  I  wonder  where  they  are  bound  ?" 

"  To  the  ruins,  most  likely ;  and  if  that  is  the  case, 
we  shall  have  hard  work  to  make  Tongla  go  where 
we  wish." 

"  Then  we'll  stay  here  until  the  orgy  is  finished, 
and  after  that  he  can't  object." 

"  I  would  like  to  have  followed  on  behind  and 
seen  the  performance." 

"  And  you  are  the  same  fellow  who  was  afraid  to 
stay  at  the  ruins  all  night,"  Roy  said,  laughingly. 
«  What  has  made  you  so  bold  ?"  " 

"  That  crowd.  Now  I've  seen  what  the  ministers 
to  the  supposed  spirits  look  like,  there  isn't  any- 
thing so  very  terrible  to  Tongla's  stories ;  for,  ac- 


TSE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  10 

cording  to  the  appearance  of  him,  this  is  about  the 
worst  of  the  whole  matter." 

By  this  time  the  wailing  chant  had  died  away  in 
the  distance.  The  Indian  boy's  rigid  form  seemed 
to  relax,  and  motioning  for  his  companions  to  come 
from  the  thicket,  he  began  to  replenish  the  fire, 
which  had  burned  itself  out  until  only  a  few  smol- 
dering embers  remained. 

"Well,  Tongla,  what  was  all  that  fuss  about?" 
Eoy  asked,  as  he  busied  himself  with  preparing  a 
pot  of  chocolate — a  beverage  which  in  Nicaragua  is 
drank  at  all  hours  of  the  day  or  night. 

"  The  Sukia  is  about  to  speak  with  the  gods ;  we 
must  turn  back,  or  death  is  certain." 

"  Have  they  gone  to  the  ruins  you  intended  to 
show  us  ?" 

"  Much  further  than  that.  Up  the  other  side  of 
the  range  many  leagues." 

"  Then  what  is  to  prevent  our  doing  as  we  pro- 
posed ?  We  sha'n't  interfere  with  them." 

"  It  is  not  allowed." 

"  Who  will  prevent  us  ?"  Dean  asked,  impatiently. 

"  It  is  not  allowed,"  Tongla  repeated ;  nor  would 
he  make  any  other  answer,  despite  the  many  ques- 
tions with  which  the  boys  plied  him. 

After  trying  in  vain  to  learn  the  meaning  of  his 
words,  Roy  said,  sharply  : 

"  Listen  to  me,  Tongla,  and  remember  that  I 
speak  only  the  truth.  These  gods  which  you  tell 
about  are  only  images  of  stone,  and  can  harm  no 
one.  Those  old  mummers  who  passed  here  are  no 
stronger  than  you,  and  if  the  whole  crowd  stared  at 


20  T&E  TREASU&E-PINDERS. 

us  for  twenty-four  hours  there  would  be  no  damage 
done.  Dean  and  I  are  going  to  the  ruins  when  it 
shall  be  light  enough  to  admit  of  our  seeing  the 
way.  If  you  choose  to  come,  well  and  good ;  other- 
wise we'll  separate  here,  and  you  .can  go  home  to 
say  why  we  were  left  without  a  guide." 

"  Turn  back  now,  and  next  week  I  will  come  with 
you,  when  we  can  stay  two,  three  or  four  days,  even, 
in  the  hall  of  the  gods,  if  you  wish." 

"The  indigo-vats  will  be  filled  then,  and  you 
know  very  well  we  can't  get  off.  Now  the  ruins 
are  but  an  hour's  journey  away,  and  I  am  going  to 
see  them." 

The  Indian  remained  silent,  and  after  repeating 
his  determination  to  see  them  on  the  following  day, 
Roy  said  to  his  brother  : 

"  We  will  go  to  sleep  now.  Tongla  can  awaken 
us  when  he  gets  tired  of  watching,  and  there  are  not 
many  hours  left  for  rest." 

The  boy  remained  silent  by  the  fire  as  his  white 
companions  clambered  into  the  hammocks,  and  when 
they  opened  their  eyes  as  the  first  rays  of  the  rising 
sun  lighted  up  the  recesses  of  the  forest  he  was  in 
the  same  position. 

"  Why  didn't  you  call  one  of  us  ?"  Eoy  asked  as 
he  sprung  to  his  feet.  "  There  was  no  reason  why 
you  should  do  all  the  watching." 

"  Sleep  comes  not  when  one  is  near  death,"  Tongla 
replied,  solemnly. 

«  "  Then  you  must  be  expecting  to  get  the  fever,  for 
just  now  there  are  no  signs  of  death  in  your  face. 
Tell  the  steward  to  give  you  a  dose  of  quinine,  and 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  21 

we  shall  be  back  before  you  have  time  to  be  very 
sick." 

"I  shall  not  return  to  the  plantation.  If  the 
young  masters  refuse  to  go  I  must  remain  with 
them." 

"  That  is  a  matter  which  shall  be  settled  to  suit 
yourself.  We  are  certainly  going  to  the  ruins,  but 
you  are  at  liberty  to  turn  back." 

"  It  is  not  allowed,  but  I  shall  go,"  Tongla  re- 
plied, moodily ;  and  then  he  refused  to  speak  another 
word. 

"  Let  him  alone,"  Koy  whispered,  as  Dean  was 
about  to  make  some  remark.  "He'll  get  over  it 
after  awhile,  and  laugh  at  his  foolish  fears  before 
we  reach  home.  Let's  turn  to  and  get  breakfast 
quickly,  for  we  mustn't  spend  too  much  time  here." 

But  few  moments  were  required  to  prepare  the 
morning  meal,  and  then  the  travelers  started ;  but 
now  Tongla  took  up  his  position  in  the  rear,  direct- 
ing Roy  from  time  to  time  how  to  proceed. 

"  Why  don't  you  go  ahead  ?"  Dean  asked. 

"  It  is  my  duty  to  follow,  but  I  will  not  be  the  one 
to  lead  others  into  forbidden  places,"  the  Indian  re- 
plied, gloomily. 

The  path  now  led  through  the  dense  portion  of 
the  forest,  where  it  was  often  necessary  for  Koy  to 
use  his  machete  in  order  to  clear  a  path  among  the 
tangled  vines,  and  after  half  an  hour  of  this  labori- 
ous traveling  they  ascended  a  small  but  steep  hill,  on 
the  very  top  of  which  stood  the  ruins  of  a  colossal 
building.  Because  of  having  come  upon  the  glisten- 
ing stones  so  suddenly  they  seemed  even  larger  than 


22  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

really  was  the  fact,  and  the  boys  stood,  as  if  spell- 
bound, gazing  at  the  massive  pillars  of  an  enormous 
gallery. 

"  Why,  it's  a  regular  palace !"  Dean  exclaimed  as 
he  forced  his  way  through  the  underbrush ;  and  Roy 
following,  they  found  themselves  in  front  of  an  edi- 
fice fully  three  hundred  feet  square,  of  which  the 
first  and  second  stories  yet  remained  virtually  in- 
tact. In  the  front  was  the  broad  veranda  or  gal- 
lery, and  leading  from  it  could  be  seen  a  large 
number  of  spacious  apartments  half-filled  with  vines 
and  creepers,  and  tenanted  only  by  bats  and  scor- 
pions. 

"  There's  no  need  of  building  a  camp  while  such  a 
place  as  this  is  near,"  Dean  said  enthusiastically  as 
he  looked  in  at  first  one  and  then  another  of  the 
rooms,  composed  entirely  of  marble,  and  decorated 
with  forms  beautiful  and  grotesque,  hewn  from  the 
white  stone.  "  Before  we  left  home  I  heard  of  the 
buried  cities  of  Central  America,  but  never  imagined 
they  were  anything  like  this.  We  should  have  staid 
here  last  night,  instead  of  camping  under  a  few  plan- 
tain-leaves. With  our  two  guns  we  could  hold  a 
regiment  of  Sukia  women  at  bay." 

"  Then  you  don't  have  any  objections  to  sleeping 
here  ?"  Hoy  asked,  with  a  smile. 

"Why  should  I  have?  This  building  is  much 
finer  than  our  hacienda,  and  we  could  stay  a  month 
without  fear  of  being  molested." 

"  Then  suppose  we  clear  out  one  of  these  rooms 
and  make  preparations  for  spending  the  night  ?  I 
want  to  see  the  other  buildings  before  we  leave,  for 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  23 

father  said  there  were  very  many.  Where  is  Ton- 
gla?" 

Until  this  moment  Dean  supposed  the  Indian  boy 
was  close  at  their  heels,  but  on  looking  around  no 
sign  could  be  seen  of  him. 

"  Where  are  you  ?"  he  called,  and  from  the  foot  of 
the  hill  came  the  reply : 

"  Here,  waiting  until  you  have  seen  the  forbidden 
place.  It  is  not  for  me  to  enter  there." 

"  Nonsense !"  Eoy  cried,  sharply.  "  We  have  con- 
cluded to  stay  until  morning,  and  want  your  help  in 
making  one  of  these  rooms  habitable." 

During  fully  a  minute  not  a  word  was  spoken, 
and  then  Tongla  appeared,  looking  very  much 
frightened,  but  yet  determined  to  do  his  full  share 
of  the  work. 

"  Don't  be  foolish,  but  help  us  set  matters  to 
rights,"  Dean  said,  as  he  attacked  a  huge  bunch  of 
weeds  which  covered  fully  one-half  of  the  chamber 
floor.  "We  are  going  to  sleep  here  to-night,  and 
these  things  must  be  cleared  away,  otherwise  the 
scorpions  will  have  full  play,  which  won't  be  pleas- 
ant for  us." 

It  was  as  if  Tongla  had  waited  to  be  commanded 
before  doing  anything  to  aid  his  companions,  for 
after  Dean  thus  peremptorily  summoned  him  to  as- 
sist, not  a  word  of  disapproval  was  heard.  He 
labored  as  if  his  comfort  depended  upon  the  arrange- 
ments made,  and  only  ceased  when  Roy  insisted 
that  it  was  useless  to  do  anything  more.  Then  the 
room  presented  a  very  habitable  appearance,  and 
the  boys  deposited  their  knapsacks  in  one  corner. 


24  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

much  as  if  this  act  was  necessary  to  prove  owner- 
ship. 

"  We  are  nicely  fixed,  even  if  it  is  decided  that 
we  had  better  stay  here  a  week,"  Roy  said  in  a  tone 
of  satisfaction,  "  and  it  will  be  well  to  look  around 
for  water." 

Tongla  made  no  reply ;  but  one  could  see  that 
this  decision  did  not  please  him,  although  he  made 
no  verbal  objection  to  the  delay. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  25 


CHAPTER  III. 

AN   IMPORTANT   DISCOVERY. 

SO  FAE  as  a  shelter  from  the  weather  was  con- 
cerned the  boys  could  have  found  no  better 
camping-place.  The  second  story  of  the  palace 
formed  a  roof  above  the  chamber  of  which  they  had 
taken  possession,  and  by  moving  a  thin  slab  of  mar- 
ble the  door- way  would  be  closed  against  any  animal 
that  might  frequent  the  ruins  after  nightfall.  Had 
Tongla  not  exhibited  so  much  fear  Eoy  and  Dean 
would  have  decided  to  remain  there  several  days, 
for  it  appeared  to  be  a  particularly  pleasant  abiding- 
place;  but  under  the  circumstances  there  was  no 
idea  of  staying  longer  than  the  time  originally  set. 

When  their  belongings  were  inside  the  room  the 
heat  of  the  sun  forbade  any  excessive  labor,  and  all 
three  gave  themselves  up  to  the  repose  of  a  siesta 
which  dwellers  in  a  tropical  climate  consider  so  nec- 
essary. The  hammocks  were  slung,  and  even  the 
Indian  boy  indulged  in  slumber  until  the  sun  had 
passed  the  meridian,  when  Eoy  aroused  the  party 
by  crying : 

"  Come,  fellows,  turn  out,  if  there  is  any  idea  of 
finding  more  ruins  in  this  buried  city!  We  have 
slept  too  long  already  and  must  get  to  work !" 

Tongla  aroused  himself  at  once?  built  a  fire  on  the 


26  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

spacious  veranda,  made  the  chocolate,  and  while  his 
companions  were  drinking  it  stood  silently  by,  as  if 
awaiting  orders. 

"  Why  don't  you  eat  ?"  Dean  asked. 

"  It  will  be  time  for  me  to  do  that  when  we  are 
among  the  hills  once  more." 

"  If  you  could  sleep  so  soundly,  I  can't  see  what 
is  to  prevent  your  having  some  chocolate,"  Dean 
said  ;  but  Tongla  made  no  reply,  and  the  boys  fin- 
ished their  meal  in  silence. 

"  Now  let's  see  if  there  are  other  buildings  like 
this,"  Eoy  cried,  as  he  leaped  to  his  feet.  "  Will 
you  come  with  us  ?"  he  added,  turning  to  the  In- 
dian boy,  "  or  do  you  prefer  to  stay  here  ?" 

Tongla  nodded  his  head  in  the  direction  of  the 
baggage ;  and,  understanding  that  he  intended  to 
remain  rather  than  profane  the  supposed  sanctuary 
of  the  gods,  the  boys  left  him  in  the  chamber  as 
they  walked  swiftly  down  past  the  row  of  massive 
pillars  to  the  white  stones  that  marked  the  lines  of 
other  buildings. 

The  only  idea  in  the  boys'  minds  was  to  see  the 
extent  of  this  ancient  city,  and  to  this  end  they 
walked  straight  past  the  palace  and  half  a  dozen 
ruins  which  adjoined  it  until  they  were  in  what  had 
once  been  a  broad  street,  but  now  appeared  to  be 
little  more  than  an  avenue  of  bushes  and  tangled 
vines. 

Surrounded  as  they  were  on  every  hand  by  the 
luxuriant  vegetation,  it  was  possible  to  see  but  few 
of  the  wonders  of  this  deserted  city,  yet  the  cir- 
cumscribed view  was  sufficient  to  call  forth  exclama- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  27 

tions  of  wonder  and  surprise.  Even  in  the  thor- 
oughfares of  New  York  the  boys  had  never  seen 
nobler  buildings  than  these  must  have  been  before 
the  ruthless  destroyer — Time — laid  his  withering 
hand  upon  them  ;  and  full  of  silent  amazement  they 
continued  on  until  Hoy  said,  as  he  halted  in  front  of 
a  stately  edifice,  which  must  once  have  been  a  place 
of  worship : 

"  Let's  go  in  here.  I'd  like  to  see  one  of  their 
idols." 

"All  right;  but  it's  lucky  Tongla  didn't  come 
with  us,  or  he'd  cried  out  against  such  a  sacrilege." 

"  There's  no  reason  why  we  shouldn't  take  in  all 
the  sights,  more  especially  if  we  have  to  leave  here 
soon  on  account  of  his  fears.  At  all  events,  I'm  go- 
ing to  know  what  that  huge  pile  of  stones  was 
built  for." 

As  he  spoke  Koy  entered  a  ruin,  at  the  further  end 
of  which  a  dozen  marble  slabs  were  piled,  one  on 
the  other,  something  after  the  fashion  of  an  altar, 
and  began  throwing  down  the  crumbling  stones  un- 
til an  exclamation  of  astonishment  burst  from  his 
lips,  causing  Dean  to  run  to  his  brother's  side. 

"  Here  is  a  regular  treasure-chamber !"  Koy  cried, 
pointing  to  a  small  excavation  which  had  been  dis- 
closed, wherein  could  be  seen  several  objects  of  a 
dull  yellow  color.  "Those  images  must  be  gold, 
and  it  looks  as  if  they  had  been  here  a  very  long 
time." 

The  receptacle  which  had  thus  been  opened  by 
chance  was  not  unlike  a  huge  and  very  thick  chest, 
and  by  bending  over,  the  oddly-fashioned  figures 


28  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

could  readily  be  reached  ;  but  they  were  very  much 
heavier  than  either  of  the  boys  had  supposed. 

The  largest,  and  evidently  most  important  of  the 
three  idols — for  such  they  undoubtedly  were — was 
not  more  than  twelve  inches  high,  and  had  been 
rudely  carved  to  represent  an  animal  of  the  cat' 
family  seated  on  its  haunches,  with  the  head  hang- 
ing low  on  the  chest.  It  was  about  eight  inches  in 
thickness,  and  on  attempting  to  lift  it  Roy  had  no 
longer  any  doubt  as  to  the  metal. 

"  Nothing  but  gold  could  be  as  heavy,"  he  said, 
raising  the  grotesque  figure  with  difficulty.  "  It 
weighs  fully  twenty  pounds,  and  judging  from  our 
success  in  idol-hunting,  it  is  decidedly  more  profit- 
able than  cultivating  indigo." 

Dean  seized  one  of  the  other  figures,  which  was 
almost  half  as  heavy  as  the  first,  and  represented  a 
human  being  with  an  enormous  head  seated  on  a 
square  throne. 

For  at  least  five  minutes  the  boys  stood  gazing  in 
silence  at  the  valuable  discovery,  and  heeding  not 
the  fact  that  two  Indians,  dressed  similarly  to  those 
who  had  followed  the  Sukia  woman  on  the  night- 
march,  had  crept  up  among  the  foliage  within  half 
a  dozen  yards,  watching  every  motion  jealously. 
The  new-comers  were  even  more  excited  than  the 
boys,  and  one  glance  at  their  faces  could  have  told 
that  they  would  make  every  effort  to  prevent  the 
uncouth  gods  from  being  carried  away. 

"How  much  do  you  suppose  these  things  are 
worth  ?"  Dean  finally  asked. 

"  If  this  is  pure  gold,  and  it  certainly  appears  to 


THE  TREASURE-FINbEHS.  29 

be,  there  must  be  eight  or  ten  thousand  dollars' 
worth  here ;  but  don't  let  us  stand  like  fools.  Pick 
up  the  little  fellows,  and  I'll  carry  the  big  one. 
Tongla's  eyes  will  stick  out  now,  if  they  never  did 
before." 

The  idea  that  they  might  have  been  seen  by 
strangers  never  entered  the  boys,'  minds,  and  they 
were  so  excited  by  the  wonderful  find  that  neither 
so  much  as  looked  back  after  leaving  the  ruined 
temple,  otherwise  the  Indians,  who  were  following 
cautiously,  must  have  been  seen. 

Tongla's  eyes  did  "stick  out"  when  his  com- 
panions entered  with  their  precious  load ;  but  it  was 
fear,  not  surprise,  which  caused  it. 

"  Where  did  you  find  them  ?"  he  asked,  in  tones 
of  alarm. 

"  Under  a  pile  of  stones  in  what  must  once  have 
been  a  temple.  It  was  fortunate  that  we  did  not 
let  you  prevent  us  from  coming  by  the  stories  of 
what  could  be  seen  here.  I'd  like  to  be  frightened 
in  this  same  way  every  day  for  a  week." 

"  Carry  them  back !"  Tongla  cried,  as  Koy  ceased 
speaking.  "  By  working  hard  we  can  bury  the  gods 
again  before  those  who  passed  us  last  night  come 
back!" 

"You  don't  fancy  we'd  be  so  foolish  as  that," 
Dean  replied,  quickly.  "  If  you  are  afraid  of  the 
crowd  we  can  start  for  home  at  once,  and  by  travel- 
ling all  day  reach  there  before  midnight." 

"  Even  now  it  may  be  too  late  to  gain  the  range. 
Take  the  gods  to  their  resting-place,  and  let  us 
shake  the  dust  of  this  city  from  our  feet  " 


30  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  Don't  be  foolish,"  Eoy  said,  sternly.  "  There  is 
nothing  here  to  harm  us,  and  we  have  no  idea  of 
throwing  a  fortune  away.  Repack  the  knapsacks 
and  we  will  go.  Forty  pounds  or  so  added  to  our 
loads  will  make  considerable  extra  work;  but  in 
view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  gold,  I  guess  we  shall  be 
able  to  get  through  with  it  all  right." 

Thus  assured  that  the  boys  really  intended  to 
carry  their  prizes  away,  Tongla's  fear  became  pain- 
ful to  witness.  He  threw  himself  at  their  feet, 
begging  them  not  to  incur  the  displeasure  of  the 
"gods,"  and  in  every  possible  way  exhibiting  the 
greatest  mental  distress. 

As  may  be  imagined,  neither  Roy  nor  Dean  were 
willing  to  abandon  that  which  had  been  found ;  and 
on  learning  that  his  appeals  were  useless,  Tongla 
said,  as  he  stood  erect  and  determined  because  of 
despair  : 

"  I  shall  not  leave  the  young  masters  while  they 
thus  defy  the  gods,  because  now  both  need  the  aid 
of  friends ;  but  it  will  not  be  possible  to  bear  the 
images  from  here  to  the  plantation,  and  we  shall  all 
perish  in  the  attempt." 

"  I  don't  believe  any  such  foolish  thing,  and  am 
quite  certain  you  do  not.  It  is  our  intention  to  carry 
these  idols  home,  and  you  may  stay  with  us  or  re- 
main to  meet  those  who  possibly  will  try  to  prevent 
us." 

"  They  are  here  now,  and  it  is  for  you  to  brave  the 
anger  of  the  gods,"  Tongla  said  as  he  pointed  to  the 
veranda,  where  could  be  seen  two  Indians,  who  must 
have  overheard  at  least  a  portion  of  the  conversation. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  31 

"  The  Sukia's  escort  has  come.    What  reply  will  you 
make  to  them  ?" 

"  The  same  that  I  would  to  you,"  Hoy  said,  boldly. 
"  What  we  have  found  we  shall  keep,  and  if  it  be- 
comes necessary  our  guns  will  make  answer  to  any 
attempt  at  detaining  us.  Dean  and  I  found  idols  of 
gold  which  we  intend  to  carry  home.  If  you  or  they 
try  to  prevent  us  we  shall  defend  both  ourselves  and 
tk>?  treasure." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE  IY. 

BESIEGED. 

A  LTHOUGH  Eoy  replied  to  Tongla  as  if  he  had 
<£~\.  no  fears  regarding  any  attack  which  the  In- 
dians might  make,  he  was  far  from  feeling  perfectly 
comfortable  in  mind.  Not  knowing  that  he  and 
Dean  had  been  observed  in  the  ruins  at  the  time  of 
finding  the  treasure,  there  was  no  thought  that  the 
Indians  would  demand  the  prizes ;  but  the  possibility 
of  their  insisting  upon  an  immediate  departure,  when 
the  idols  would  very  likely  be  seen,  was  by  no  means 
pleasant. 

The  new-comers,  who  had  halted  about  thirty  feet 
away,  were  covered  with  gaudy-colored  ponchos, 
which  constituted  their  only  clothing,  and  around 
their  feet  were  raw-hide  shoes  of  home  manufac- 
ture, with  leggings  of  the  same  material,  to  protect 
their  limbs  from  snakes.  They  stood  motionless  as 
statues,  as  if  expecting  the  boys  would  make  some 
excuse  for  having  visited  the  ruins  at  such  a  time; 
but  neither  of  the  three  spoke.  Eoy  and  Dean 
remained  side  by  side  just  within  the  door- way, 
while  Tongla  was  on  the  veranda  a  few  paces  be- 
yond. 

During  two  or  three  moments — and  the  time 
seemed  very  much  "longer  to  the  boys — this  ominous 


silence  continued,  and  then  one  of  the  Iniians 
spoke  in  a  harsh  tone  to  Tongla.  The  boy  replied, 
also  in  his  native  tongue,  and  Eoy  asked,  sharply  : 

"What  does  he  say?" 

"They  want  to  know  why  we  came  here  after 
seeing  the  Sukia  woman." 

"  Tell  him  that  we  do  not  intend  to  interfere  in 
his  movements,  nor  shall  he  question  ours!"  Roy 
said,  sternly.  "  Where  the  Sukia  went  we  did  not 
follow;  but  these  ruins  are  free  to  any  one  who 
chooses  to  visit  them." 

After  this  was  repeated,  both  the  Indians  talked 
for  some  time  with  Tongla,  and  then  he  turned  to 
his  companions  as  he  said : 

"  They  asked  me  if  I  told  you  that  it  was  forbid- 
den to  come  here  at  this  time,  and  it  would  be  worse 
than  death  had  I  told  a  lie.  Now  it  is  demanded 
that  you  go  at  once  and  leave  behind  that  which  was 
found  in  the  ruins  of  the  temple." 

"  Did  you  tell  them  we  had  the  idols  ?" 

"  I  am  not  a  parrot,  nor  is  it  necessary  any  one 
should  do  so,  for  all  which  happens  is  known  to  the 
Sukia." 

"  Don't  be  foolish,  Tongla !"  and  now  Roy  spoke 
angrily.  "  Since  these  men  have  learned  about  the 
idols,  they  must  have  seen  us  when  we  overturned 
the  pile  of  stones  or  listened  to  our  conversation. 
The  main  question  is,  What  are  they  likely  to  do  ?" 

"Everything,"  the  Indian  boy  cried.  "If  the 
word  is  but  spoken  we  shall  not  be  able  to  leave  this 
place,  no  matter  how  many  come  to  help  us." 

It  was  as  if  Tongla' s  cowardice  aroused  Dean's 


34  TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

courage,  and  he  said,  holding  his  fowling-piece  in 
one  hand : 

"  With  two  of  these,  and  in  what  will  be  a  regular 
fort,  the  entire  gang  who  went  past  last  night  can 
do  us  no  harm.  There  are  stone  slabs  enough  here 
to  barricade  the  door- way  and  window  in  good 
shape." 

"  But  are  we  warranted  in  staying  where  the  In- 
dians can  virtually  hold  us  prisoners  '?"  Hoy  asked, 
in  a  tone  of  perplexity.  "  Suppose  we  start  now, 
while  there  are  only  two  to  oppose  us  ?" 

"  The  others  cannot  be  far  away,  and  it  will  not 
be  safe.  We  had  better  stay  under  cover ;  they 
won't  dare  to  do  very  much,  knowing  some  one  from 
the  hacienda  is  sure  to  come  in  search  of  us  if  we 
are  absent  longer  than  was  agreed  upon." 

"  I  fancy  you  are  right,"  Roy  said  ;  and  then  turn- 
ing to  Tongla  he  added  :  "  Tell  the  Indians  that  we 
are  well  armed,  and  shall  shoot  the  first  who  dares 
molest  us.  If  necessary  we  can  remain  here  until 
those  who  know  where  we  are  come  to  our  aid." 

That  this  was  not  an  agreeable  message  for  the 
boy  to  deliver  could  be  told  by  the  deprecatory  tone 
which  he  used,  and  Jrom  his  gestures,  Hoy  and  Dean 
believed  he  tried  to  excuse  himself  for  repeating  the 
harsh  words. 

The  men  made  a  lengthy  reply  in  an  angry  tone, 
after  which  they  walked  gravely  toward  the  path 
by  which  the  boys  had  ascended  to  the  ruins. 

"  Are  they  going  away  ?"  Dean  asked. 

"  Only  to  the  brow  of  the  hill,  in  order  to  prevent 
us  from  passing  in  that  direction,"  Tongla  replied, 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  35 

sadly.  "We  have  offended  those  who  minister  to 
the  gods,  and  our  punishment  will  be  great.  Al- 
ready are  the  others  approaching,  and  escape  is  im- 
possible unless  the  sacred  figures  are  given  into  the 
charge  of  the  Sukia  woman." 

"  See  here,  Tongla,"  Eoy  said,  decidedly,  "  there  is 
nothing  to  keep  you  here.  We  are  willing  you 
should  go  and  make  your  peace ;  but  we  shall  stay, 
and  it'll  be  a  long  while  before  that  crowd  can  rob 
us.  It  is  gold  they  want,  and  the  talk  about  gods  is 
only  made  for  effect.  No  one  knew  anything  about 
the  idols,  otherwise  they  would  have  been  taken 
away  many  years  before  this.  Now,  having  found 
a  large  amount  of  treasure,  and  nothing  which  is 
sacred,  we  do  not  intend  to  be  deprived  of  it.  Dean 
and  myself  are  both  satisfied  to  have  you  join 
them." 

Tongla  listened  in  silence  until  Eoy  ceased  speak- 
ing, and  then  with  a  dignity  the  boys  had  never  seen 
him  display  before  he  said,  firmly : 

"  I  am  but  a  poor  Indian  who  has  never  seen  the 
great  world  from  which  you  came,  but  my  heart  is 
as  true  as  if  my  skin  were  white.  It  is  not  possible 
we  can  depart  from  this  place  with  the  golden  gods ; 
but  death  is  more  pleasant  than  treachery.  I  shall 
remain." 

From  both  the  manner  and  tone  it  was  certain 
the  boy  had  fully  decided  upon  his  course  of  action, 
and  the  others  were  a  little  ashamed  for  having  sug- 
gested his  leaving  them. 

"  You  are  a  good  fellow,  Tongla,"  Eoy  said,  as  he 
took  him  by  the  hand,  "  and  we  won't  forget  this 


36  fSE  TREASURE-FINDfiM. 

very  soon.  Now  put  out  of  your  mind  all  idea  that 
these  men,  or  even  the  Sukia  woman  herself,  can  do 
anymore  than  you  or  I,  and  we'll  soon  be  out  of 
this  scrape.  Do  you  think  the  rest  of  the  crowd  are 
so  near  it  would  be  impossible  for  us  to  give  them 
the  slip  ?  It  won't  be  much  of  a  job  to  get  past  the 
two  old  redskins  who  are  trying  to  blockade  the 
path." 

u  To  the  hacienda  is  more  than  a  long  day's  walk. 
Before  noon  they  could  overtake  us,  even  though 
the  remainder  of  the  party  are  now  two  leagues 
away." 

"  That's  a  fact ;  and  it  would  be  pretty  hard  to 
hold  our  own  in  the  woods  where  they  could  sur- 
round us  without  much  trouble.  We'll  stay  here 
for  awhile,  and  begin  work  by  barricading  this 
door." 

It  required  half  an  hour's  severe  labor  to  fortify 
the  place  in  such  a  manner  that  it  could  not  be 
taken  by  any  ordinary  assault,  and  then  the  boys 
felt  reasonably  secure.  The  enemy  were  armed 
only  with  machetes  and  short,  spear-like  clubs; 
therefore  the  two  fowling-pieces  would  be  sufficient 
to  hold  them  in  check,  and  these  weapons  were  to 
be  used  behind  the  barrier  of  stone,  where  aper- 
tures had  been  left  between  the  slabs. 

The  day  was  well  advanced  when  these  prepara- 
tions for  defense  were  completed,  and  had  they  been 
at  home  on  the  indigo  plantation  all  three  would 
have  indulged  in  a  siesta,  for  during  three  or  four 
hours  in  the  middle  of  the  day  every  one  sleeps,  the 
heat  rendering  almost  disagreeable  any  exercise. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  37 

Under  the  present  circumstances,  however,  such 
indulgence  was  not  to  be  thought  of,  and  the  boys 
seated  themselves  on  the  stone  floor,  where  a  view 
of  the  veranda  as  well  as  the  forest  directly  in  front 
of  the  ruins  could  be  had  through  the  loop-holes. 

"  They  wiD  not  trouble  us  until  nightfall,"  Tongla 
had  said ;  but  Eoy  believed  it  best  to  be  on  the 
alert. 

"  One  of  us  might  sleep,  if  the  hammocks  could 
be  hung,"  he  said ;  "  but  I  don't  fancy  either  cares 
very  much  about  lying  on  this  hard  floor." 

"  I  will  remain  on  guard  while  you  rest,"  the  In- 
dian boy  said.  "  Then  during  the  night  all  can 
watch,  for  at  that  time  the  servants  of  Kabul  are 
certain  to  come  for  the  gods." 

"  Who  is  Kabul  ?"  Dean  asked,  curiously.  "  That 
is  a  name  I  never  heard  before." 

"  He  is  there,"  Tongla  replied,  reverentially,  as  he 
pointed  toward  the  veranda. 

The  boys  looked  out,  expecting  to  see  one  of  the 
party  which  the  Sukia  woman  had  led  ;  but  to  their 
surprise  not  a  person  was  in  sight. 

" There,"  Tongla  repeated;  and  following  with 
their  eyes  his  outstretched  finger  they  saw  a  num- 
ber of  rude  figures  painted  oh  the  marble  column 
directly  in  front  of  their  place  of  refuge. 

"  Do  you  mean  those  queer  pictures  ?"  Koy  asked. 

Tongla  nodded  his  head. 

"  I  can't  make  out  what  they  mean,  except  that 
there  are  about  a  dozen  big  red  hands,  and  some- 
thing which  looks  like  a  snake." 

"It  is  Kabul,  God  of  the  Working  Hand,"  the 


38  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Indian  boy  said,  gravely  ;  and  Dean  was  quite  posi- 
tive he  bowed  in  adoration  before  this  rude  symbol 
of  a  divinity. 

"  Have  you  ever  seen  his  statue-figures — like  those 
we  found,  I  mean  r  Roy  asked. 

"Very  many  times.  He  is  here  among  the  ruins, 
and  with  him  are  other  gods  whom  nobody  knows." 

But  for  Tongla's  reverential  air  the  boys  would 
have  laughed  outright ;  the  idea  of  a  crowd  of  gods 
whom  "nobody  knew"  seemed  very  comical.  It 
would  have  been  useless  to  make  any  attempt  at 
showing  him  the  absurdity  of  idol  -  worship,  for 
many  times  had  the  old  priest,  who  visited  the  haci- 
enda now  and  then,  tried  without  the  slightest  show 
of  success  to  point  out  his  errors;  and  although  the 
boy  listened  attentivelv,  it  could  be  seen  that  he  did 
not  believe  a  single  statement. 

%i  Do  you  know  the  names  of  the  gods  we  found  P 
Roy  asked,  after  a  short  pause. 

"  I  never  saw  them  before.  Perhaps  the  people 
who  built  this  city  left  them." 

"  Of  course  they  did.  and  that  is  why  the  demand 
of  those  Indians  is  so  absurd.*' 

%%  The  Sukia  can  take  what  she  wants,"  Tongla  re- 
plied, with  an  air  of  the  most  profound  conviction ; 
and  Roy  rose  to  his  feet  impatiently,  thus  bringing 
the  conversation  to  an  abrupt  close. 

"  Let's  get  something  to  eat,"  he  said.  "  I'm  be- 
ginning to  feel  hungry,  and  we'd  better  have  lunch 
while  our  enemies  are  quiet." 

Leaving  Tongla  on  guard.  Dean  joined  his  brother 
at  the  further  corner  of  the  chamber,  where  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  39 

knapsacks  had  been  left,  and  before  any  prepara- 
tions for  the  meal  were  made  a  most  startling  fact 
was  discovered. 

"  There  isn't  a  cup  of  water  in  the  canteens,  and 
we  stand  a  good  chance  of  being  shut  up  here  two 
or  three  days !"  Roy  cried,  in  alarm. 

"  I  filled  both  the  vessels  when  we  crossed  the 
stream  this  morning,"  the  Indian  boy  said. 

"  Yes,"  Dean  cried,  bitterly,  "  and  I  washed  ray 
hands  with  the  contents  of  mine,  thinking  it  would 
be  easy  to  get  more !" 

"  Well,  it's  no  use  to  scold  about  what  can't  be 
helped.  Unless  those  fellows  out  there  change  their 
minds  before  to-morrow  morning  we  shall  have  to 
give  up  the  idols  or  take  the  chances  of  fighting  our 
way  through." 

"  On  the  other  side  of  this  hill,  past  the  ruins,  is  a 
stream.  I  will  go  there  now.  In  an  hour,  when  all 
the  Sukia's  followers  come,  it  may  not  be  possible  to 
depart  from  here." 

As  Tongla  spoke  he  began  to  clamber  over  the 
barricade ;  but  Roy  pulled  him  back  as  he  said  : 

"  If  any  one  goes  it  must  be  me.  Explain  where 
the  stream  is  located,  and  I  will  make  the  attempt." 

Dean  was  most  decidedly  opposed  to  this  plan ; 
but  one  argument  sufficed  to  convince  him  that  des- 
perate measures  should  be  adopted. 

"In  twenty-four  hours  all  three  of  us  will  be 
forced  to  surrender  unless  we  have  the  means  of 
quenching  our  thirst.  By  filling  both  canteens  and 
the  chocolate-pot  the  siege  can  be  sustained,  on 
very  short  allowance,  three  times  as  long.  Tongla 


40  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

does  not  understand  the  use  of  fire-arms,  therefore 
the  two  who  are  here  could  easily  capture  him.  I 
shall  be  able  to  hold  them  in  check,  unless  more 
have  arrived,  and  shall  bring  back  the  water." 

"  If  it  is  yet  possible  to  go  through  the  ruins  to 
the  other  side  of  the  hill,  why  wouldn't  it  be  best 
for  all  hands  to  leave  here?"  Dean  asked.  "We 
could  easily  keep  out  of  the  way  in  the  dense  forest, 
no  matter  how  many  should  come  in  pursuit,  and 
flight  is  preferable  to  remaining  with  every  prospect 
of  a  fight,  in  which  it  will  be  three  against  eighteen 
or  twenty." 

"  I'm  not  sure  but  that  would  be  a  good  plan," 
Eoy  said,  thoughtfully.  "  What  do  you  think,  Ton- 
gla?" 

"Beyond  is  a  river,  and  if  we  should  cross,  it 
would  be  to  find  ourselves  in  the  land  of  the  Woolwa 
Indians,  who  are  not  to  be  trusted.  It  is  better  to 
stay  here  until  the  end." 

"  Were  you  ever  in  that  section  of  the  country  ?" 

"  My  people  do  not  go  there.  I  have  never  even 
crossed  the  river." 

"  That  settles  it,"  Koy  said  to  his  brother.  "  We 
would  be  foolish  to  take  the  risks  of  traveling  in  a 
wild  section,  each  step  carrying  us  further  from 
home.  I  will  go  now,  and  you  stand  by,  ready  to 
come  out  in  case  there  is  a  row." 

"  Why  not  let  me  go  with  you  ln 

"  Because  some  one  beside  Tongla  must  stay  to 
guard  the  gold." 

"  I  will  answer  for  the  safety  of  the  little  gods," 
the  Indian  boy  said,  quickly.  "  With  my  machete 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  ±\ 

the  entrance  can  be  defended,  at  least  until  you  re- 
turn.    It  would  be  well  for  both  to  go." 
Koy  hesitated  only  an  instant,  and  then  he  said  : 
"Very  well;  we  mustn't  waste  any  more  time. 
Climb  over  the  stones  and  I  will  pass  out  the  can- 
teens." 


or  THI  ' 

UNIVERSITY] 

or 


43  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEK  Y. 

THE    WATER-CARRIERS. 

THE  SLABS  of  stone  which  were  piled  in  the 
door-way  to  a  height  of  about  seven  feet  were 
so  placed  that  the  ends  on  the  inside  projected  one 
above  another  like  a  flight  of  steps,  thus  throwing 
the  opposite  or  outer  portion  at  such  an  angle  that 
the  enemy  could  not  clamber  up  while  making  an 
attack. 

Thus  the  boys  had  no  difficulty  in  leaving  their 
retreat,  and  on  the  return  Tongla  would  be  able  to 
give  the  necessary  aid  in  surmounting  the  obstacle. 
Dean  went  first,  scrutinizing  the  surrounding  forest 
and  ruins  closely  before  leaping  on  to  the  veranda, 
and  when  the  vessels  in  which  the  precious  liquid 
was  to  be  brought  had  been  passed  out,  Eoy  fol- 
lowed. 

Cautiously  the  two  proceeded  down  the  broad 
platform  in  the  direction  of  that  portion  of  the 
ruins  from  which  the  idols  had  been  taken,  but 
nothing  could  be  seen  of  the  enemy  in  either  direc- 
tion. 

"  Do  you  suppose  they  have  gone  away  ?"  Dean 
asked,  in  a  whisper. 

"No  such  good  luck  as  that.  The  forest  is  so 
dense  that  they  might  stand  within  a  dozen  yards, 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  43 

and  we  would  be  unable  to  see  them.  Knowing 
what  the  country  beyond  here  is,  I  suppose  the  two 
whom  we  saw  think  there  is  no  need  of  guarding 
this  side  of  the  hill  until  they  get  ready  to  close  in 
on  us." 

With  their  guns  in  their  hands  ready  for  immedi- 
ate use  the  boys  continued  on  the  full  length  of  the 
veranda,  then  down  past  the  ruined  temple,  skirted 
the  base  of  fourteen  or  fifteen  huge  piles  of  stone 
which  marked  the  site  of  some  magnificent  building, 
and,  almost  without  warning,  were  in  the  gloom  of 
such  a  forest  as  they  had  never  seen  before — enor- 
mous logwood-trees,  gigantic  vines,  towering  palms, 
flowers  of  gorgeous  hues,  strange  plants  hanging  to 
the  limbs  of  trees,  all  serving  to  form  a  most 
marvelous  picture.  Here  and  there  a  few  golden 
shafts  made  their  way  through  the  foliage,  lighting 
up  the  wondrous  scene  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
and  beyond  in  every  direction  the  darkness  seemed 
profound. 

Despite  the  dangers  to  which  they  were  exposed 
the  boys  halted  in  silent  amazement,  gazing  about 
as  if  bewildered  by  the  beauty  on  every  hand  until 
Roy  roused  himself  with  a  start. 

"  This  won't  do,"  he  said.  "  It's  water  we  have 
come  for,  and  too  long  a  delay  here  may  shut  off  all 
chance  of  rejoining  Tongla.  Come  on." 

"  If  all  the  forest  east  of  the  hill  is  like  this,  I 
don't  wonder  that  he  didn't  want  to  take  the  risk  of 
making  his  way  through  to  escape  the  Indians.  A 
fellow  who  should  get  lost  in"  these  woods  would 
have  a  slim  chance  of  ever  getting  out." 


44  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"And  it  stands  us  in  hand  to  walk  mighty 
straight.  He  said  we  were  to  go  through  the  forest 
about  a  hundred  yards  before  reaching  the  stream. 
We  must  have  come  more  than  half  that  distance 
already." 

Roy  had  hardly  ceased  speaking  before  he  was  on 
the  bank  of  a  brook  where  the  vines  and  creepers 
hung  in  such  profusion  that  one  could  not  see  the 
water  until  directly  over  it. 

By  bending  down  from  a  fallen  tree-trunk  the 
boys  soon  brought  up  the  scanty  supply  which 
could  be  carried,  and  without  further  delay  the 
return  was  begun. 

On  emerging  from  the  bewildering  forest  no 
sounds  of  life  were  to  be  heard ;  even  the  animals 
and  insects  were  enjoying  a  siesta,  and  the  very 
silence  caused  Dean  to  grow  suspicious. 

"  I  don't  see  why  Tongla  should  have  thought  it 
best  that  both  of  us  should  come  when  there  isn't 
the  slightest  danger,  unless — 

"  Unless  what  ? "  Roy  asked,  as  his  brother 
paused. 

"Well,  it's  a  mean  thing  to  say,  but  I  couldn't 
help  thinking  how  readily  Tongla  might  get  out  of 
the  scrape  by  delivering  up  the  idols.  The  moment 
we  left,  a  signal  to  the  Indians  would  bring  them  to 
the  ruins,  and  he  could  either  go  with  them  or  say 
he  was  overpowered." 

"  He  wouldn't  do  anything  like  that,"  Roy  said, 
very  positively ;  but  yet  he  quickened  his  pace  mate- 
rially, and  the  boys  were  running  when  the  veranda 
was  reached. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  45 

That  such  suspicions  were  unjust  was  shown  when 
they  reached  the  door-way  and  found  him  perched 
on  top  of  the  slabs  awaiting  their  arrival. 

"  Make  haste !  Give  me  the  water  and  guns !"  he 
whispered,  nervously.  "  I  have  seen  five  or  six  In- 
dians come  from  among  the  trees  to  look  at  the  pal- 
ace, and  it  must  be  that  the  Sukia  woman  and  her 
followers  are  here." 

First  the  canteens  and  pot  were  passed  up,  after 
which  Koy  stood  on  guard  with  leveled  weapon  as 
Dean  handed  Tongla  his  gun  and  then  was  helped 
to  the  top  by  the  faithful  servant,  when  he  assumed 
the  duties  of  guard  until  the  others  were  in  the  cham- 
ber once  more. 

"  We  neither  saw  nor  heard  any  one,  and  I 
wouldn't  be  afraid  to  go  a  dozen  times,"  Koy  said 
when  all  three  were  sitting  in  front  of  the  loop- 
holes. 

"  It  was  not  dangerous  when  you  started,  but 
now  it  is,"  Tongla  replied,  gravely.  "  At  this  time 
Indians  are  posted  entirely  around  us,  for  they  know 
that  one  visit  to  the  stream  has  been  made,  and  will 
prevent  a  second.  That  they  have  traveled  during 
the  time  of  their  siesta  shows  us  what  may  be  ex- 
pected. Unless  help  comes  from  the  hacienda  we 
shall  be  overpowered  soon." 

"  Now  don't  begin  again  to  croak,"  Koy  said, 
petulantly.  "I  thought  all  that  was  ended  when 
you  insisted  on  remaining  with  us." 

"  One  may  tell  himself  the  result  and  yet  not  be  a 
coward." 

"  You  are  right,  Tongla  ;  but  at  the  same  time  no 


46  TSE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

good  can  come  of  continually  repeating  that  we  are 
doomed." 

"  I  shall  say  no  more.  Lie  down  and  rest  until 
the  night  comes." 

Again  the  boys  refused  to  take  advantage  of  the 
opportunity,  and  a  few  moments  later  they  had 
plenty  to  occupy  their  attention. 

Unquestionably  the  entire  party  of  Indians  had 
arrived,  for  at  half  a  dozen  different  points  men 
could  be  seen  passing  to  and  fro,  as  if  taking  up 
positions  for  an  attack,  while  four  or  five  were 
directly  opposite  the  chamber. 

"I  don't  see  any  guns,"  Koy  said,  after  a  long 
scrutiny,  "and  it  seems  as  if  they  had  only  such 
weapons  as  we  at  first  surmised." 

"  That  is  true,"  Tongla  replied.  "  But  few  of  my 
people  own  any,  and  those  who  do  would  not  carry 
them  while  engaged  in  the  service  of  the  gods." 

"  It  can  be  nothing  less  than  suicide  for  them  to 
make  an  attack,  and  I  question  very  much  if  there 
will  be  any  fighting  unless  we  are  driven  out  of  here 
through  hunger  or  thirst." 

"  Whatever  the  Sukia  commands  they  will  do, 
even  though  certain  death  awaits  every  one." 

"  How  many  cartridges  have  you  got,  Dean?" 

"  Twenty." 

"  And  mine  bring  the  number  up  to  forty-three. 
With  that  amount  we  should  be  able  to  make  mat- 
ters very  uncomfortable  for  those  gentlemen,  even 
though  they  are  charged  only  with  heavy  shot." 

It  would  have  been  an  easy  thing  to  hit  any  of  the 
Indians  in  sight ;  but  neither  Koy  nor  Dean  cared  to 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  47 

open  the  battle,  for  the  idea  of  shooting  at  a  human 
being  was  terrible. 

Save  when  the  Indians  moved  from  one  point  to 
another  there  was  no  change  in  the  condition  of 
affairs  until  after  nightfall,  and  then  the  boys  un- 
derstood why  the  natives  believed  the  ruined  city 
was  peopled  with  spirits. 

Fire-flies,  so  brilliant  that  it  was  difficult  to  be- 
lieve they  were  not  tiny  wisps  of  flame,  darted  here 
and  there,  causing  the  white  stones  to  glow  as  if  a 
bit  of  phosphorus  had  been  passed  across  them. 
Sounds  from  the  forest,  which  the  listeners  could  at- 
tribute to  no  familiar  cause,  floated  on  the  air; 
something  very  like  a  sob  came  at  irregular  inter- 
vals from  the  ruins,  and  again  it  was  as  if  a  plain- 
tive voice  called  in  an  unknown  or  forgotten  tongue. 
Everywhere  was  the  appearance  of  life,  and  the 
dullest  imagination  might  readily  fancy  that  the 
shadowy  forms  of  that  ancient  race  which  built  the 
city  had  revisited  the  scenes  of  their  lives. 

"  After  to-night  I  won't  say  a  word  to  Tongla  for 
being  afraid  of  this  place,"  Koy  whispered,  as  he 
wiped  the  perspiration  from  his  face.  "  It  wouldn't 
take  much  more  of  this  sort  of  thing  to  make  me 
run,  no  matter  how  many  Indians  there  may  be 
waiting  to  catch  us." 

"Of  course  there  is  nothing  unnatural  about  the 
sounds,"  Dean  replied,  nervously ;  "  but  a  fellow 
has  mighty  hard  work  to  convince  himself  of  that 
fact.  I  wonder  if  it  is  always  like  this  ?" 

"  Always,"  Tongla  said,  he  having  overheard  the 
last  portion  of  Dean's  remark.  "  I  was  here  once, 


48  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

before  you  came  to  this  country ;  but  we  could  not 
stay.  It  was  better  to  travel  all  night,  in  danger  of 
losing  our  way  in  the  forest,  than  remain  in  the 
home  of  the  gods." 

"  An  attack  would  be  preferable  to  sitting  here 
idle  with  such  good  opportunities  for  fancying  dis- 
agreeable things,"  Eoy  said  after  a  short  pause ;  and 
almost  at  the  same  moment  Dean  whispered : 

"  They  are  closing  in  on  us !  I  am  positive  I 
heard  footsteps  on  the  veranda,  and  the  crowd  in 
front  are  advancing." 

That  this  was  correct  all  three  of  the  watchers 
could  see  a  few  seconds  later.  The  Indians,  who 
had  been  stationed  directly  opposite  their  place  of 
refuge,  came  boldly  forward  until  they  were  within 
a  dozen  yards  of  the  barricaded  door,  and  as  they 
halted  a  perfect  cloud  of  spears  were  thrown,  some 
striking  harmlessly  against  the  pile  of  slabs,  while 
the  greater  portion  passed  over  into  the  apartment. 

Sheltered  as  they  were,  the  boys  escaped  unin- 
jured, and  before  the  first  surprise  had  passed  four 
or  five  men  made  a  dash  at  the  barrier. 

"Fire!"  Eoy  cried,  "and  reload  as  quickly  as 
possible." 

There  was  no  time  to  take  aim.  Already  had  one 
of  the  men  succeeded  in  gaining  the  top,  and  Dean 
discharged  his  weapon  just  in  time  to  save  Tongla 
from  a  spear-thrust. 

A  cry  of  pain  was  mingled  with  the  report  of 
Eoy's  gun,  and  during  the  next  five  minutes  neither 
of  the  defenders  knew  exactly  what  was  done. 
Shouts,  screams,  the  sound  of  steel  striking  against 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  49 

the  stones  as  the  enemy  used  their  machetes  over  the 
top  of  the  barricade,  the  reports  of  the  fowling- 
pieces,  and  now  and  then,  above  the  uproar,  strains 
of  a  wild  song,  served  to  confuse  the  boys  until  the 
struggle  seemed  like  some  horrible  nightmare. 

No  one  knew  how  the  battle  was  going,  save  as 
he  himself  was  concerned,  until  the  Indians  with- 
drew as  suddenly  as  they  had  come,  and  the  most 
profound  silence  reigned. 

"  Well,"  Roy  said,  as  he  saw  the  enemy  helping 
four  wounded  men  away,  "  I'm  glad  we  didn't  kill 
any  of  the  scoundrels,  although  they  would  have 
had  little  mercy  for  us  if  that  pile  of  stones  hadn't 
been  quite  so  high.  Is  any  one  hurt  ?" 

"  The  point  of  a  spear  went  through  my  jacket 
and  tore  the  sleeve  out ;  but  that  was  the  only  dam- 
age done,"  Dean  replied.  "  How  did  you  fare,  Ton- 
gla?" 

"  I  am  not  wounded,"  was  the  low-spoken  answer, 
"but  it  is  yet  too  early  to  count  the  loss.  The 
Sukia's  followers  will  soon  return,  and  we  must  be 
prepared  for  the  second  struggle." 

"  You're  right,  my  boy.  Our  guns  are  reloaded, 
and  it  won't  be  a  bad  idea  to  gather  up  these  spears ; 
it  seems  as  if  the  floor  was  covered  with  them." 

Then  Roy  began  collecting  the  weapons  which 
had  been  thrown  during  the  first  portion  of  the  en- 
gagement, while  Tongla  busied  himself  with  push- 
ing back  into  place  such  slabs  as  were  forced  inward. 

The  smoke  from  the  powder  hung  dense  in  the 
chamber,  causing  the  boys  to  crouch  low  as  they 
worked,  in  order  to  breathe  without  pain ;  and  after 


50  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

groping  around  several  moments  Dean  asked,  im- 
patiently : 

"  What  did  you  do  with  the  water,  Eoy  ?  My 
throat  is  so  dry  that  I  can  hardly  speak." 

"  I  put  the  canteens  in  the  corner,  and  the  choco- 
late-pot a  little  this  side.  Give  me  a  drink  when 
you  find  it." 

Dean  was  silent  for  a  moment,  and  then  the 
others  were  startled  by  hearing  him  cry  as  if  in 
pain. 

" What's  the  matter?  Have  you  run  across  a 
scorpion  ?" 

"  Look !"  And  Dean  advanced  toward  the  door, 
where  the  faint  light  which  came  in  above  the  bar- 
ricade disclosed  to  the  view  of  his  startled  compan- 
ions two  articles  he  held. 

One  was  the  empty  pot,  and  the  other  a  canteen, 
through  which  a  spear  had  passed. 

"There  isn't  a  drop  of  water  in  either !"  he  ex- 
claimed, "  and  it  seems  as  if  I  could  drink  a  quart 
without  satisfying  my  thirst." 

Tongla  and  Eoy  stood  as  if  stupefied  at  this  mis- 
fortune which  had  come  upon  them,  and  then  the 
former  groped  about  on  the  floor  until  the  second 
canteen  was  found. 

"  This  is  yet  full,"  he  said,  "  and  if  we  do  no  more 
than  moisten  our  lips  it  may  serve  until  morning." 

"  How  could  we  have  been  so  careless,"  Roy  cried, 
in  distress.  "  To  put  that  upon  which  all  our  hopes 
depend  where  nearly  every  spear  thrown  in  must 
reach  it  was  the  act  of  a  fool,  and  I  am  the  one  on 
whom  all  the  blame  must  fall !" 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  51 

"Don't  talk  that  way,"  Dean  said,  soothingly. 
"  Tongla  or  I  would  have  done  the  same  thing,  for 
it  was  only  natural  to  stow  them  out  of  the  way, 
otherwise  we  might  have  trampled  on  them." 

All  thoughts  of  their  severe  loss  were  dispelled  at 
this  juncture  by  a  cry  from  Tongla,  who  had  taken 
up  his  station  once  more  at  the  loop-holes : 

"The  followers  of  Kabul  are  advancing  once 
more,  and  this  time  the  Sukia  comes  to  give  them 
courage !" 


52  THE  THEASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTER  VI. 

AN   OPPORTUNE   DISCOVERY. 

'THHE  BOYS  were  at  their  places  behind  the 

JL  barricade  in  an  instant  after  Tongla  made  the 

unwelcome  announcement,  and  then  the  Indians 

were  so  near  as  to  be  distinguished  without  difficulty. 

As  if  there  was  nothing  to  be  feared  from  the 
fire-arms,  they  remained  in  the  open  space  four  or 
five  minutes  while  the  Sukia  woman  chanted  an 
appeal  or  an  invocation,  and  the  boys  could  have 
shot  several  had  it  not  been  for  their  horror  of 
shedding  human  blood. 

"  If  that  old  wretch  was  out  of  the  way  I  am  cer- 
tain there  would  be  no  more  fighting,"  Roy  whis- 
pered to  Dean.  "It  seems  tough  to  shoot  at  a 
woman ;  but  in  this  case  it  is  absolutely  necessary. 
The  shot  won't  kill  her,  but  one  charge  will  teach  a 
good  lesson.  When  the  crowd  start  toward  us  you 
look  out  for  the  men,  and  I'll  fire  at  her." 

Dean  nodded  his  head,  but  could  not  reply  other- 
wise, for  this  deliberate  planning  as  to  which  of  the 
party  should  be  shot  savored  too  much  of  murder, 
although  absolutely  necessary  for  the  preservation 
of  their  own  lives. 

The  Indians  joined  in  the  last  line  of  the  chant, 
and  when  it  was  ended  dashed  forward  with  wild 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  53 

screams,  which  were  probably  intended  to  dismay 
the  boys  and  strengthen  their  own  courage. 

Eoy  paid  no  attention  to  the  yelling  pack,  but  re- 
mained at  the  loop-hole  from  which  he  could  com- 
mand a  view  of  the  old  crone,  who  still  continued 
her  song,  and  before  the  men  were  on  the  veranda 
he  fired  two  shots. 

The  second  struck  the  target,  and  with  a  wild  cry 
of  pain  the  Sukia  ran  toward  the  thicket,  while  her 
followers  halted  as  if  suddenly  converted  into 
statues.  Then  it  was  that  Koy  fancied  a  yet  fiercer 
charge  would  be  made,  but  in  this  he  was  happily 
mistaken. 

The  old  woman  continued  to  scream,  thus  show- 
ing that  she  was  not  mortally  wounded,  and  her  fol- 
lowers fled  toward  her  with  even  more  swiftness 
than  while  approaching  the  palace. 

"»What  happened  to  the  Sukia  ?"  Tongla  asked  in 
surprise,  as  the  assailants  disappeared  in  a  twink- 
ling. 

"  I  put  a  charge  of  shot  in  her  arm,  and  it  has 
saved  us  from  a  hand-to-hand  fight." 

The  Indian  boy  shook  his  head  decidedly. 

"You  have  made  a  mistake.  She  cannot  be 
harmed  by  any  one  of  this  world.  The  gods  pro- 
tect her." 

"  They  didn't  this  time,  and  if  she  shows  herself 
I'll  prove  that  the  dose  can  be  repeated." 

It  was  not  until  both  Koy  and  Dean  had  told  over 
and  over  again  of  the  proposition  made  by  the 
former  before  the  advance  was  begun  that  Tongla 
would  believe  the  woman  could  have  been  harmed 


54  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

by  the  shot,  and  then  he  appeared  both  alarmed  and 
perplexed. 

"  My  people  never  knew  of  such  a  thing  before. 
Even  the  flames  pass  her  by,  and  the  deadly  nalm- 
yaca — that  snake  from  whose  bite  none  can  re- 
cover— is  afraid  to  strike  when  she  walks  through 
the  forest." 

Now  Roy  and  Dean  understood  why  the  Indians 
had  abandoned  the  attack  at  the  very  moment  when 
it  was  to  be  begun.  They,  like  Tongla,  believed  she 
was  invulnerable,  and  the  wound  had  caused  more 
alarm  than  the  death  of  half  their  number  would 
have  done. 

"  When  they  come  again  it  will  be  to  kill  us,  or 
die  in  the  attempt,"  Dean  said,  as  if  alarmed  at  the 
success  of  his  own  party. 

"At  all  events  the  Sukia  won't  do  much  more 
singing,"  Roy  replied ;  "  and  we've  got  time  to  pre- 
pare for  the  next  charge." 

For  this  purpose  no  very  lengthy  delay  was 
needed,  since  everything  possible  had  already  been 
done.  The  boys  moistened  their  parched  lips  from 
the  canteen,  which  was  but  little  relief  when  each 
could  have  drank  the  entire  contents  without  fully 
quenching  his  thirst,  and  then  they  sat  down  at  the 
barricade  to  watch  for  what  all  believed  would 
speedily  come. 

Again  the  weird  noises  from  the  forest  and  ruins 
were  heard  ;  but  the  Indians  made  no  sign.  Hour 
succeeded  hour  until  the  pale  whisks  of  light  in  the 
sky  told  that  night  was  abdicating  in  favor  of  day, 
and  a  great  hope  sprung  up  in  Dean's  breast. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  55 

"  Perhaps  they  have  gone  away,"  he  whispered. 
"  Knowing  that  we  could  wound  her  whom  they  be- 
lieved proof  against  all  harm,  the  whole  crowd  may 
have  sneaked  off." 

"  There  is  no  hope  of  that,"  Tongla  replied, 
gravely.  "  Those  who  so  much  as  touch  her  when 
she  comes  to  visit  the  gods  are  put  to  death ;  there- 
fore greater  must  be  our  punishment." 

"  When  they  have  killed  us  there  can  be  nothing 
worse,"  Roy  said,  smiling  at  Tongla's  remark. 

"  A  blow  from  a  machete  is  more  merciful  than 
other  forms  of  death  that  can  be  inflicted  in  the 
forest ;"  and  with  these  ominous  words  the  Indian 
boy  relapsed  into  silence. 

"They  must  get  at  us  before  anything  can  be 
done,  and  a  fellow  holds  out  pretty  long  with  such 
a  prospect  before  him,"  Roy  said,  after  a  short 
pause.  "I'm  going  to  have  one  more  swallow  of 
water,  even  if  it  is  the  last." 

Never  before  did  it  seem  as  if  a  canteen  had  been 
emptied  so  rapidly.  Although  the  boys  hardly 
moistened  their  lips  four  times  during  the  night,  the 
contents  were  nearly  consumed,  and  when  Dean 
placed  the  vessel  carefully  in  the  corner,  under  the 
window,  it  was  with  the  knowledge  that  no  more 
than  two  mouthfuls  for  each  remained. 

Day  breaks  quickly  in  the  tropics.  It  was  but  a 
few  moments  after  the  first  shafts  of  light  were 

o 

seen  before  the  sun  had  risen,  and  the  surrounding 
forest  was  alive  with  life  in  varied  forms.  Hum- 
ming-birds, with  plumage  so  vivid  in  color  that  it 
was  as  if  each  feather  had  been  set  with  glittering 


56  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

stones,  fl:Hed  to  and  fro  past  the  veranda.  Green 
and  purgie  dragon-flies  caused  the  massive  columns 
to  appear  as  if  incrusted  with  jewels.  The  song  of 
birds  came  from  the  deep  recesses  of  the  woods, 
and  all  nature  seemed  rejoicing  at  the  birth  of 
another  day. 

It  was  to  none  of  these  beautiful  sights  that  the 
besieged  first  glanced  when  it  became  possible  to  see 
surrounding  objects.  Their  eyes  roved  to  and  fro 
searching  for  the  enemy,  and  nearly  all  were .  soon 
found. 

Stationed  at  different  points,  in  a  half -circle,  were 
the  Indians,  watching  for  any  movement  on  the 
part  of  the  boys,  and  from  their  attitude  Roy  fan- 
cied he  could  read  their  determination  to  remain  on 
duty  until  those  who  had  seized  the  idols  should  be 
starved  into  surrender. 

"They  will  not  fight,  but  wait,"  Tongla  said, 
when  the  scrutiny  was  ended ;  and  then  he  began 
overhauling  the  stock  of  provisions  for  breakfast. 
"  We  can  eat,  though  it  is  not  well  to  take  much  be- 
cause of  the  thirst  which  is  certain  to  follow." 

The  desire  for  water  wras  already  so  great  that 
neither  Roy  nor  Dean  felt  the  pangs  of  hunger,  and 
both  refused  to  join  in  the  repast. 

When  Tongla  had  eaten  sparingly  he  again  ad- 
vised his  companions  to  sleep,  and  this  time  they  did 
as  he  requested,  for  in  slumber  thirst  could  be  for- 
gotten. 

Lying  on  the  stone  floor,  they  soon  closed  their 
eyes ;  but  even  in  dreams  the  one  want  made  itself 
felt ;  and  at  midday,  when  all  nature  seemed  to  be 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  57 

indulging  in  a  siesta,  the  intense  heat  awakened 
them.  The  dark  forest  looked  cool  and  inviting, 
while  in  the  chamber  not  the  slightest  breath  of 
moving  air  could  find  its  way,  and  the  heat  was  al- 
most unbearable. 

"  There  is  just  about  one  mouthful  of  water  for 
each  of  us,"  Dean  said  as  he  rose  to  his  feet  and 
seized  the  canteen.  "It  will  do  no  good  to  wait, 
and  after  my  share  has  been  drank  I  can  be  no 
worse  off.  Let's  pour  this  into  the  pot,  where  it  can 
be  divided." 

The  others  came  toward  him.  By  using  the  lower 
portion  of  the  shattered  canteen  it  was  possible  to 
measure  the  precious  liquid,  and  each  sipped  his 
allowance  slowly,  that  the  poor  pleasure  might  be 
prolonged. 

However  slow  their  movements,  the  small  supply 
was  soon  consumed,  and  Dean  said,  as  he  drained  the 
last  drop : 

"  The  question  now  is  whether  we  can  hold  out 
until  morning  ?  That  will  be  the  utmost  limit ;  and 
then,  if  help  does  not  come,  we  must  give  up  the 
gold,  regardless  of  how  much  money  it  may  repre- 
sent. I'd  be  willing  to  surrender  now,  in  order  that 
I  might  bury  my  head  in  that  stream." 

"  It  is  too  late  for  surrender,"  Tongla  said, 
gloomily.  "After  what  has  been  done,  the  fol- 
lowers of  Kabul  will  not  allow  us  to  leave  here  alive." 

"  Do  you  mean  that  they  won't  let  us  go  if  we 
give  up  the  idols  ?"  Dean  asked ;  and  incredulity  was 
so  apparent  in  his  tones  that  instead  of  replying 
Tongla  said,  sharply : 


58  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  Give  me  the  white  cloth  you  carry  in  your 
pocket." 

Roy  gave  him  his  handkerchief,  and  he  sprung 
upon  the  pile  of  stones,  waving  it  until  one  of  the 
sentinels  advanced  a  few  paces,  and  shouted  in  his 
native  tongue". 

"  I  will  now  ask  the  question,"  Tongla  said ;  and 
for  some  moments  he  talked  rapidly  with  the  Indian, 
who  shook  his  head  while  replying,  after  which  he 
disappeared  among  the  foliage. 

"  He  has  gone  to  consult  with  the  others,"  Tongla 
said  as  he  remained  on  the  barricade.  "  We  shall 
have  an  answer  soon.  Are  you  willing  to  give  up  the 
golden  gods  if  they  permit  us  to  go  unharmed  ?" 

"  Yes,  yes !"  Dean  replied ;  but  Eoy  was  not  so 
impetuous.  He  thought  the  matter  over  calmly,  and 
there  could  be  but  one  result  to  his  deliberations. 
Thirst  would  soon  drive  them  out,  and  life  was  more 
precious  than  gold. 

"  We  will  surrender  them,"  he  said,  just  as  the  In- 
dian appeared. 

The  answer  of  the  besiegers  was  very  brief.  Half 
a  dozen  words  were  spoken,  and  Tongla' s  voice  trem- 
bled as  he  translated  them. 

"  One  shall  go  free,  but  two  must  die !" 

The  boys  stood  as  if  stunned.  Until  this  moment 
both  Koy  and  Dean  believed  they  could  purchase 
freedom  by  surrendering  the  treasure.  The  reply 
seemed  to  deprive  them  of  the  small  remnant  of 
courage  left,  and  neither  spoke  until  after  Tongla 
said,  in  low,  firm  tones : 

"  I  will  be  one  of  the  two," 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  59 

"  If  they  would  allow  us  to  go  in  consideration  of 
our  giving  only  you  up,  we  should  not  think  of  ac- 
cepting. We  will  live  or  die  together.  Say  to  that 
fellow  that  we  are  determined  to  fight  until  the  last 
moment,  and  more  than  one  of  them  shall  go  before 
us." 

Tongla  repeated  the  words.  The  Indian  made  no 
reply,  but  retreated  once  more  to  the  welcome 
shade  of  the  trees,  and  as  the  Indian  boy  descended 
from  the  barricade  the  little  party  resumed  their 
task  of  watching. 

"  There  is  no  question  but  that  they  can  soon  wind 
up  this  affair,"  Roy  said,  quietly.  "  When  it  is  im- 
possible to  stay  here  any  longer  we  will  make  a  rush, 
and  settle  while  fighting.  If  we  could  dispose  of  the 
idols  so  the  villains  wouldn't  find  them  I'd  be  better 
satisfied." 

While  speaking  he  brought  from  the  corner,  where 
they  had  remained  almost  unnoticed  after  the  mo- 
ment when  the  Indians  appeared,  the  three  figures 
of  gold,  placing  them  as  if  on  exhibition. 

Tongla  hardly  glanced  at  the  images,  but  looking 
around  the  room  replied  : 

"  There  is  nothing  we  can  do  except  watch.  Work 
is  better  than  idleness.  If  a  stone  was  taken  from 
the  floor  we  could  bury  the  gods  beneath  it." 

"  That's  a  grand  idea !"  Roy  exclaimed.  "  Any- 
thing is  preferable  to  sitting  still,  and  one  at  the 
loop-holes  will  be  enough.  Stay  here,  Dean,  while 
Tongla  and  I  begin  the  job." 

Upon  surveying  the  huge  blocks  which  formed 
the  lower  portion  of  the  chamber  the  task  seemed 


60  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

impossible ;  but  the  Indian  boy  set  about  it  reso- 
lutely, after  selecting  the  smallest.  With  his  machete 
he  first  worked  along  the  edges,  trying  to  find  a 
point  where  sufficient  of  the  stone  could  be  crum- 
bled away  to  admit  of  using  the  weapon  as  a  lever, 
and  Roy  did  the  same,  each  moving  in  an  opposite 
direction  until  they  met  at  the  end  toward  the 
wall. 

Here  for  an  instant  the  weight  of  both  was  on 
one  corner,  and  suddenly  the  huge  block  began  to 
turn  downward,  as  if  on  a  pivot. 

"  It's  dropping !"  Roy  cried,  and  would  have  leaped 
off  but  that  Tongla  held  him  firmly  until  the  move- 
ment ceased,  when  the  latter  cried  to  Dean : 

"  Bring  here  one  of  the  guns !  We  have  found  a 
way  of  escape !" 

Now  Roy  could  see  that  as  one  end  sunk  the  other 
rose,  therefore  it  was  not  an  accident,  and  he  liter- 
ally trembled  with  excitement  as  his  brother  tried 
to  prop  up  the  highest  end  of  the  block. 

"  Brace  the  gun  under  it !"  he  said,  nervously. 
"  You  can  hold  it  in  that  way  until  Tongla  and  I 
find  something  better." 

With  the  butt  of  the  weapon  pressed  firmly 
against  the  edge  of  the  solid  flooring,  and  the  muz- 
zle just  beneath  the  lifted  rock,  Dean  succeeded  in 
doing  as  he  was  bidden,  and  in  a  few  moments  the 
other  two  had  completed  the  work  with  their  ma- 
chetes. 

There  was  now  an  aperture  the  entire  width  of 
the  block  and  about  three  feet  high,  through  which 
either  of  the  boys  could  pass  without  difficulty ;  but 


TREASURE-FINDERS.  61 

before  venturing  below,  it  would  be  necessary  to  as- 
certain what  was  underneath. 

Tongla  gathered  bits  of  branches  from  the  cor- 
ners where  the  room  had  not  been  thoroughly 
cleaned,  and  holding  these  tightly  together,  asked 
Koy  to  light  a  match. 

It  was  by  no  means  a  good  torch,  but  would  serve 
to  give  at  least  a  glimpse  of  where  the  opening  led 
to,  and  the  little  party  crouched  close  by  the  edge 
as  he  lowered  the  feeble  flame. 

No  one  thought  there  might  be  any  danger  in 
thus  forsaking  the  loop-holes,  and  neither  would 
probably  have  heard  the  approach  of  a  dozen  men 
had  they  come  at  this  moment  when  was  to  be  de- 
cided the  value  or  uselessness  of  this  discovery. 


62  THE  TKEASURE-FINbEHS. 


CHAPTEK  YIL 

THE   TUNNEL. 

THANKS  to  the  light  of  the  improvised  torch, 
it  was  possible  for  the  boys  to  see,  after  the 
foul  air  had  ascended  sufficiently  to  permit  of  the 
flame,  what  appeared  to  be  a  flight  of  stone  steps, 
and  Dean  would  have  started  down  at  once  but  for 
Tongla,  who  said,  as  he  held  the  former  back : 

"  We  do  not  know  yet  where  this  may  lead,  and 
it  is  not  safe  that  more  than  one  should  take  the 
risk  of  going.  You  and  your  brother  are  needed  to 
guard  the  chamber ;  I  will  discover  the  secret  and 
return  to  tell  you." 

Eoy  was  on  the  point  of  insisting  that  some  one 
should  accompany  him  because  of  the  possible  dan- 
ger ;  but  he  held  his  peace  when  the  thought  came 
to  his  mind  that  the  Indian  boy  could  be  in  no 
greater  peril  than  those  who  remained  behind. 

First  gathering  all  the  materials  for  a  torch  which 
could  be  found,  and  then  arming  himself  only  with 
a  machete,  Tongla  descended. 

"  Be  careful !"  Roy  called  after  him,  and  from  the 
gloom  came  the  reply  : 

"  Be  watchful !  The  followers  of  Kabul  may 
have  an  idea  of  what  is  being  done,  and  choose  this 
time  to  make  an  attack !" 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  63 

"If  things  turn  out  as  now  seem  probable  we 
sha'n't  fear  them  much  longer,"  Dean  said,  glee- 
fully, as  he  resumed  the  duties  of  sentinel  by  seat- 
ing himself  in  front  of  one  of  the  loop-holes. 

"  They  may  come  before  we  are  ready  unless  we 
keep  sharp  watch,  and  now  there  is  but  one  gun  to 
hold  them  in  check.  To  let  them  know  that  there 
is  no  idea  of  surrendering,  it  will  be  well  to  fire  at 
every  one  who  shows  himself." 

"  I  don't  see  any  but  that  old  fellow  with  whom 
Tongla  talked,  and  he  is  so  far  away  that  it  would 
be  a  waste  of  ammunition  to  shoot  at  him." 

"  Take  the  gun.  I'm  going  to  get  things  ready 
for  a  quick  move  in  case  that  hole  turns  out  to  be  a 
regular  tunnel." 

Then  Eoy  began  to  gather  up  the  stock  of  pro- 
visions, which  he  placed  in  one  of  the  knapsacks  to- 
gether with  the  smallest  idol,  and  in  the  other  he 
packed  the  two  remaining  golden  figures.  The 
chocolate-pot,  canteen,  hammocks,  and  such  articles, 
were  piled  near  the  aperture  where  they  could 
readily  be  gotten  at,  and  everything  was  prepared 
for  the  flight  in  case  Tongla  brought  back  a  favor- 
able report. 

"  Any  signs  of  a  movement  among  the  villains  ?" 
he  asked,  on  approaching  his  brother. 

"None.  They  are  waiting  until  it  grows  cooler, 
or  perhaps  think  there  is  no  need  of  fighting  when 
we  must  necessarily  be  starved  out  so  soon.  Asking 
for  terms  of  surrender  showed  to  what  straits  we 
were  reduced." 

"  So  much  the  better  for  us,  since  it  gives  plenty 


64  THE  TREASTTRE-FINDERS. 

of  time  for  an  examination  of  the  tunnel.  It  seems 
to  me  that  Tongla  is  staying  a  long  while." 

"  That's  proof  the  excavation  is  something  more 
than  a  hole  in  the  ground,"  Dean  replied,  cheerily, 
for  the  chances  of  escape  now  seemed  so  good  that 
thirst  and  even  the  fear  of  death  were  at  least  par- 
tially banished  from  his  mind. 

The  boys  waited  and  watched  fully  half  an  hour 
more,  and  then  Tongla  appeared,  breathing  hard, 
like  one  who  has  been  running. 

"  What  did  you  find?"  his  companions  asked  in 
chorus,  and  growing  pale  through  fear  that  their 
new-born  hopes  rnigkt  be  dashed  by  his  report. 

"It  extends  a  long  distance,  but  in  which  direc- 
tion I  cannot  say.  It  will  be  possible  to  live  there 
as  many  hours  as  if  we  remained  here,  therefore  it 
is  well  to  leave  this  place  without  delay." 

"  We  are  all  ready,"  and  Dean  picked  up  one  of 
the  knapsacks  as  if  to  descend  at  once,  when  the 
boy  said,  stepping  toward  the  barricade  : 

"  There  is  very  much  to  be  done  here  first,  other- 
wise the  enemy  will  follow  us.  When  this  stone  is 
dropped  the  cracks  can  tell  the  story ;  and,  besides, 
we  need  torches." 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  will  get  them ;  and  as  for 
the  stone,  that  can't  be  helped.  We  shall  be  no 
worse  off,  if  they  come,  than  here  after  our  ammuni- 
tion is  exhausted,"  Koy  said. 

"  All  can  be  arranged  if  you  do  as  I  wish." 

"Give  your  orders,  and  we'll  obey;  but  work 
quick,  or  there'll  be  another  fight  on  our  hands." 

"  Go  on  the  pile  of  stones  with  your  gun,  that 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  65 

they  may  not  be  able  to  prevent  my  coming  back ;" 
and  as  Tongla  spoke,  he  ran  swiftly  up  the  barricade 
and  leaped  over,  greatly  to  the  surprise  and  alarm 
of  his  companions. 

Seizing  the  fowling-piece,  Hoy  followed  to  the  top 
of  the  slabs,  and  there  he  saw  the  reason  for  this 
singular  maneuver. 

On  the  veranda  at  either  side  of  the  entrance  to 
the  apartment  in  which  the  boys  had  taken  refuge 
was  a  quantity  of  twigs  and  broken  branches,  while 
twined  around  each  column  were  a  profusion  of 
vines.  These  twigs  Tongla  gathered  and  threw  over 
the  barricade,  working  rapidly,  as  one  naturally 
would,  knowing  that  a  vengeful  enemy  might  attack 
him  at  any  moment. 

In  fact  the  Indians  began  to  show  signs  of  activity 
the  instant  the  boys  appeared  above  the  slabs.  From 
every  point  at  which  sentinels  had  been  stationed 
men  sprung  out  from  the  bushes;  but  on  seeing 
that  Tongla  was  making  no  effort  to  run  away,  and 
perhaps  deterred  by  the  sight  of  Eoy's  gun,  they 
remained  at  a  distance,  ready  to  run  forward  if  any 
threatening  movement  was  indulged  in. 

Thus  the  boy  had  ample  opportunity  to  gather  a 
plentiful  supply  of  wood ;  and,  in  addition,  he  pulled 
down  or  chopped  off  huge  bunches  of  vines. 

"  Now  help  me  up,"  he  said,  extending  his  hand 
to  Eoy ;  and  in  another  instant  he  was  inside  the 
chamber  binding  the  branches  into  torches  with  the 
pliable  vines,  the  others  keeping  close  watch  upon 
the  enemy  meanwhile. 

When  twelve  of  these  bundles  had  been  made  he 


66  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

broke  the  remaining  pieces  of  wood  into  small  frag- 
ments, and  with  the  utmost  care  piled  them  on  the 
inclined  stone,  more  particularly  near  the  edges. 

"  Can  you  give  me  some  powder  ?"  he  asked,  when 
these  preparations  had  been  completed. 

"  How  much  do  you  want  ?" 

"  What  I  can  hold  in  my  hand." 

Koy  broke  open  two  cartridges  and  poured  out 
the  contents,  which  Tongla  distributed  in  a  thin  line 
around  the  edge  of  the  floor  adjoining  the  movable 
stone.  Over  all  he  placed  tangled  masses  of  the 
vines  in  such  a  manner  that  they  could  not  be  caught 
when  the  huge  block  was  allowed  to  drop  into  its 
place. 

"We  are  ready  now,"  he  said,  "Throw  down 
the  goods  which  we  are  to  carry,  and  then  go  on 
the  stairs  where  it  will  be  possible  to  hold  up  this 
weight  when  I  have  taken  away  the  gun  and  ma- 
chetes." 

After  one  more  glance  outside  to  satisfy  them- 
selves that  the  Indians  were  not  ready  to  make  an 
immediate  attack,  the  boys  obeyed. 

It  was  not  difficult  to  reach  the  upper  end  of  the 
block  by  standing  on  the  broad  stair  or  platform 
which  surmounted  the  steps,  and  the  united  strength 
of  both  was  sufficient  to  uphold  the  weight.  By 
raising  the  stone  a  trifle  Tongla  was  enabled  to  re- 
move the  weapons,  and  when  these  had  been  carried 
below  he  proceeded  to  cover  their  tracks  as  far  as 
this  trap-door  was  concerned. 

He  lighted  the  dry  wood  in  half  a  dozen  places, 
and,  making  certain  it  would  soon  be  fanned  into  a 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  6? 

strong  blaze,  gave  word  for  the  boys  to  lower  the 
block. 

"  Let  it  come  down  gently,"  he  said,  aiding  them 
in  the  work.  "  If  the  fuel  is  not  disturbed  it  will 
burn  close  to  the  edge  of  the  stone,  the  powder  must 
be  ignited,  and  if  all  goes  well,  some  time  is  certain 
to  pass  before  the  followers  of  Kabul  discover  how 
we  have  escaped." 

The  only  thing  which  could  mar  the  success  of 
Tongla's  plan  was  that  the  Indians  might  make  a 
charge  to  ascertain  the  meaning  of  the  smoke ;  but 
this  did  not  seem  probable,  in  view  of  the  fact  that 
they  had  every  reason  to  believe  it  would  be  impos- 
sible for  the  boys  to  leave  the  chamber  without  their 
knowledge,  and  also  that  they  were  already  on  the 
point  of  surrendering,  as  shown  by  the  proposition 
Tongla  made. 

Not  until  after  the  stone  was  in  its  place  did  Ton- 
gla light  one  of  the  torches,  and  the  boys  saw  a 
flight  of  eight  steps  which  led  to  a  passage  about 
six  feet  wide  and  eight  high,  the  sides  and  top  cov- 
ered with  what  looked  not  unlike  brick-work. 

"We  will  walk  fast,  for  too  many  torches  must 
not  be  burned,"  Tongla  said.  "  If  there  is  no  other 
opening  we  shall  need  some  light  by  which  to  re- 
trace our  steps." 

He  led  the  way,  holding  the  bundle  of  wood  in 
such  a  manner  as  to  economize  fuel,  at  the  same  time 
that  sufficient  blaze  was  produced  to  partially  light 
the  way ;  and  he  also  carried  his  full  share  of  the 
traps. 

During  ten  minutes  the  boys  continued  on  through 


68  TffJS  TREASVRE-F1NDEH8. 

the  tunnel,  seeing  no  break  in  the  solid  walls,  and 
then  they  arrived  at  a  point  where  two  other  pas- 
sages led  out  from  the  main  one  at  right-angles. 

Here  the  Indian  boy  halted  for  an  instant  as  if  to 
ask  which  course  should  be  pursued,  and  Hoy  said : 

"  It  will  be  safer  to  go  straight  ahead.  This  looks 
like  the  principal  tunnel,  and  we  had  better  remain 
in  it." 

"  Did  you  come  through  here  without  a  light  ?" 
Dean  asked ;  and  Tongla  replied  : 

"For  a  short  distance  the  little  torch  showed  the 
way ;  but  after  that  expired  I  depended  on  my  hands 
as  a  guide,  therefore  could  not  have  come  as  far  as 
this,  or  I  would  have  found  the  other  passages." 

Ten  minutes  more  elapsed,  and  then,  as  Tongla 
halted  again,  this  time  in  a  listening  attitude,  a  cry 
of  joy  burst  from  Dean's  lips. 

He  heard  the  musical  gurgle  of  water,  and  never 
did  such  a  sound  seem  sweeter. 

Tongla  stopped  only  long  enough  to  satisfy  him- 
self there  could  be  no  mistake,  and  then  he  dashed 
on  at  a  swift  pace  until  the  little  party  arrived  at  a 
chamber  or  break  in  the  tunnel  where  was  an  apart- 
ment about  six  feet  square,  in  the  center  of  which 
was  a  spring  of  sparkling  water. 

The  torch  was  flung  down  regardless  of  whether 
the  flame  was  extinguished,  and  all  three  knelt  on 
the  ground,  literally  plunging  their  faces  beneath 
the  surface  as  they  drank,  paused  to  regain  their 
breath,  and  then  drank  again,  until  it  seemed  as.  if 
their  thirst  would  never  be  quenched. 

How  delicious  were  those  first  draughts !     The 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  69 

most  expensive  beverage  ever  concocted  could  not 
have  tasted  half  so  refreshing. 

"  If  that  don't  atone  for  what  we  have  suffered  I 
am  very  much  mistaken,"  Dean  said,  when  he  was 
finally  forced  to  stop,  because  he  could  not  swallow 
another  mouthful.  "  Now  if  the  Indians  follow  us 
we  shall  be  able  to  give  them  a  fairly  good  recep- 
tion." 

"We  must  not  wait  for  them,"  Tongla  said, 
quickly.  "  It  is  certain  they  will  soon  discover  how 
we  escaped,  and  more  are  sure  to  join  them  when 
the  Sukia  summons.  We  must  leave  here  while 
there  is  time." 

"  We'll  be  pleased  to  do  so  if  it  is  possible,"  Koy 
replied,  laughingly.  He  could  smile,  now  that  the 
danger  of  immediate  death  had  passed. 

"  This  passage  must  have  been  built  in  order  that 
those  who  lived  in  the  palace  might  escape  in  times 
of  trouble,  and  we  shall  soon  be  in  the  open  air  once 
more." 

"  But  on  which  side  of  the  hill  ?"  Koy  asked. 

"  That  I  cannot  say.  It  is  enough  for  us  if  we  get 
beyond  the  ruins.  The  country  of  the  Wool  was 
will  be  safer  than  any  place  east  of  the  range." 

During  all  this  time  they  had  been  in  total  dark- 
ness ;  but  now  Tongla  rekindled  the  torch,  and,  re- 
freshed both  in  body  and  mind,  the  boys  continued 
on  through  the  passage  in  the  same  order  as  before. 

Now  the  tunnel  no  longer  appeared  to  extend  in 
a  straight  line,  but  wound  from  side  to  side  in  a 
zigzag  course,  as  it  appeared  to  the  boys.  Once 
they  passed  a  spot  where  the  masonry  was  damp 


70  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

with  moisture,  and  Tongla  said,  as  if  positive  his  con- 
jecture was  correct : 

"  This  is  where  the  stream  passes  over.  "We  shall 
find  ourselves  beyond  the  hill,  and  perhaps  on  the 
bank  of  the  river." 

"Then  it  will  be  necessary  to  make  our  way 
through  the  forest,  of  which  you  know  nothing," 
Dean  said,  apprehensively. 

"  It  would  be  better  to  wander  there  until  we  died 
than  fall  into  the  hands  of  Kabul's  followers." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  71 


'      CHAPTEE  YIII. 

£* 

THE   BIVER.  %* 

THE  FEAE  that  they  might  be  forced  to  travel 
many  days  through  the  trackless  forest  before 
reaching  the  hacienda  had  a  depressing  effect  upon 
the  boys  despite  the  fact  of  having  escaped  from 
foes  more  pitiless  than  the  wild  beasts,  and  they 
walked  on  in  silence  until  the  narrowing  of  the  tun- 
nel told  that  they  were  approaching  the  end. 

Three  of  the  torches  had  already  been  consumed, 
and  Tongla  was  beginning  to  grow  nervous  lest  the 
supply  become  exhausted  before  they  arrived  at  the 
terminus. 

"  If  we  are  obliged  to  go  back,  it  won't  be  difficult 
to  make  our  way  in  the  darkness,"  Eoy  said,  cheer- 
ily. "  With  the  exception  of  the  place  where  the 
two  tunnels  branch  off  it  is  a  straight  road,  and  I 
wouldn't  be  afraid  to  travel  the  entire  distance  with- 
out a  light." 

"  It  is  not  of  the  return  that  I  am  thinking,"  the 
boy  replied.  "  If  the  enemy  should  come,  and  we 
found  no  way  to  leave  here,  torches  would  be  of 
great  value." 

"  At  all  events  we  needn't  worry  about  that  yet 
awhile.  To  escape  when  flight  seemed  impossible 
should  be  sufficient  to  make  us  very  happy  for  one 
day  at  least." 


72  TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

The  burdens  which  the  boys  were  carrying,  in- 
creased as  they  were  by  the  weight  of  the  idols, 
prevented  them  from  traveling  very  rapidly,  and 
twice  after  leaving  the  spring  a  halt  was  called. 
The  tunnel  grew  smaller  as  they  advanced  until  it 
was  barely  large  enough  to  admit  of  Roy's  stand- 
ing erect,  and  when  it  seemed  as  if  they  could  go 
no  further  it  made  an  abrupt  turn  to  the  right, 
where  could  be  seen  thin  rays  of  light,  which  made 
their  way  through  the  tangled  foliage  at  the  mouth. 

"  Hurra !"  Roy  and  Dean  shouted  in  chorus ;  and 
Tongla  ran  swiftly  ahead,  throwing  down  his  load 
and  the  torches  as  he  began  to  chop  at  the  vines 
and  bushes  with  his  machete. 

In  five  minutes  an  opening  sufficiently  large  to 
admit  of  their  crawling  through  had  been  made, 
and  the  fugitives  stood  on  the  bank  of  a  swiftly- 
running  river  in  the  very  midst  of  the  forest.  On 
every  hand  the  thicket  seemed  to  be  impenetrable. 
Huge  trees  grew  to  the  water's  edge,  their  trunks 
festooned  with  vines  whose  stems  were  from  one  to 
three  inches  in  diameter  ;  while,  choking  all  the  in- 
tervening space,  and  shutting  out  even  the  horizon 
from  view,  were  a  profusion  of  plants  with  lustrous 
leaves  not  unlike  and  quite  as  large  as  those  of  the 
banana-tree.  The  boys  were  literally  hemmed  in 
by  the  rank  vegetation,  and  with  nothing  in  view 
save  the  dark  water. 

"  Take  care !"  Tongla  shouted,  as  Roy  pressed  for- 
ward in  the  hope  of  getting  a  more  extended  view 
from  the  edge  of  the  river.  "  Snakes  are  here  in 
plenty,  and  to  be  bitten  by  them  means  death !" 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  73 

"  We  can't  stand  still,  no  matter  how  many  there 
may  be  crawling  around." 

"  Strike  with  your  machete  wherever  you  see 
what  looks  like  a  good  hiding-place  for  them,  and 
when  you  are  in  grass  so  tall  that  the  earth  cannot 
be  seen.  Do  you  think  it  is  well  to  loiter  here  when 
even  at  this  moment  the  followers  of  Kabul  may  be 
coming  through  the  passage?" 

"  What  do  you  advise  ?" 

"  That  we  go  down  the  river  a  short  distance,  and 
there  make  a  shelter  in  which  to  spend  the  night, 
for  we  need  much  rest  before  beginning  the  long 
journey." 

"  Go  on.  Lead  the  way  and  we  will  follow.  A 
hearty  meal  won't  come  amiss,  for  I  feel  as  if  I 
hadn't  had  anything  to  eat  since  we  left  the  haci- 
enda." 

Tongla  made  no  effort  to  hide  the  trail.  He  knew 
that  if  the  Indians  should  discover  the  tunnel  they 
would  at  least  understand  in  which  direction  the 
fugitives  had  gone,  and  it  was  too  soon  yet  to  spend 
much  time  trying  to  throw  them  off  the  scent. 

Walking  slowly,  and  striking  the  vines  and  creep- 
ers with  his  machete  from  time  to  time,  the  boy  led 
the  way  toward  the  south  within  twenty  feet  of  the 
river  until  the  little  party  was  about  a  mile  from 
the  outlet  to  the  passage,  when  he  came  to  a  halt  at 
a  place  where  three  logwood-trees  stood  very  near 
together,  in  the  form  of  a  triangle. 

Here  the  knapsacks  were  unstrapped,  and,  with 
the  remainder  of  the  goods,  piled  up  in  one  place, 
after  which  all  hands  set  about  clearing  away  the 


74  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

foliage.  "While  this  was  being  done  Tongla  uttered 
a  loud  exclamation  of  joy  as  he  held  high  in  the  air 
a  handful  of  what  to  his  companions  were  ordinary 
weeds. 

"  What  is  it  ?"  Dean  asked  in  surprise,  as  he  ceased 
his  fatiguing  labors  for  an  instant. 

"  The  guaco — the  plant  which  cures  the  bites  of 
all  snakes  save  those  of  the  deadly  nahuyaca.  With 
these,  we  need  no  longer  fear  to  walk  through  the 
forest." 

"  That  is  all  very  well,"  Dean  replied,  laughingly ; 
"  but  if  I  can  prevent  it  there  will  be  no  chance  of 
trying  it  on  me,  for  I  intend  to  give  snakes  a  wide 
berth,  as  I  always  have  done  ever  since  we  came  to 
this  queer  country." 

Tongla  tied  the  precious  guaco-leaves  together 
and  deposited  them  in  one  of  the  knapsacks  with 
more  care  than  he  would  have  shown  in  the  disposi- 
tion of  the  golden  idols,  and  then  he  went  to  work 
as  if  with  renewed  courage. 

The  afternoon  was  hardly  more  than  half -spent 
when  the  temporary  camp  had  been  completed.  The 
hammocks  were  suspended  from  the  trees,  and  just 
above  them  was  a  roof  formed  of  the  large  leaves 
which  grew  in  such  profusion.  The  river  was  hardly 
ten  feet  away,  and  near  the  edge  of  the  bank  Ton- 
gla cleared  a  spot  where  a  fire  might  be  built  with- 
out fear  of  a  general  conflagration. 

"  With  what  food  we've  got  on  hand  I  don't  be- 
lieve there'll  be  much  cooking  done,"  Roy  said,  with 
a  laugh.  "  Unless  you  are  intending  to  make  more 
tortillas,  we  will  have  a  cold  meal." 


TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  75 

"  I  shall  get  meat,  and  you  will  take  dinner  with 
me." 

"  It  is  just  what  we  would  like  to  do ;  but  unless 
you  use  the  bow  and  arrows  there'll  be  no  game,  for 
it  isn't  safe  to  discharge  the  guns  while  we  are  so 
near  the  tunnel." 

"  There  shall  be  no  noise  made.  Lie  down  to  rest, 
and  when  I  return  we  will  eat." 

With  his  bow  in  one  hand  and  a  machete  in  the 
other  Tongla  set  out,  moving  through  the  foliage 
with  the  utmost  caution,  and  when  they  were  alone 
Koy  suggested  that  some  chocolate  be  made. 

"  We  have  had  a  few  hours'  sleep,  while  he  hasn't 
closed  his  eyes  since  we  arrived  at  the  ruins,  and  it 
is  but  right  for  us  to  help  a  little." 

"  I'm  willing  to  do  my  full  share,  so  get  the  choco- 
late ready  while  I  build  a  fire." 

This  task  had  hardly  been  begun  when  Tongla  re- 
turned, literally  staggering  under  the  weight  of  a 
huge  bunch  of  plantains,  and  two  agouti  which  he 
had  shot  not  more  than  a  hundred  yards  from  the 
camp. 

"  Well,  you've  got  food  enough  to  feed  us  a  week ; 
but  how  do  you  propose  to  cook  it?"  Koy  asked,  as 
he  helped  unload  the  young  hunter. 

"  You  shall  see."  And  Tongla  set  about  the  task 
without  loss  of  time. 

He  first  dug  a  deep  hole  in  the  sand  near  the 
water,  filled  it  with  a  quantity  of  dry  wood  such  as 
could  be  found  in  abundance  anywhere  in  the  vicin- 
ity, and  after  setting  this  on  fire,  proceeded  to  dress 
the  rabbit-like  animals. 


76  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

When  the  wood  had  been  reduced  to  coals  he 
raked  them  apart  in  the  middle,  wrapped  the  agouti 
in  plantain-leaves,  after  sprinkling  them  with  salt, 
and  laid  the  whole  in  the  fiery  excavation,  carefully 
covering  them  with  embers. 

"  It  will  be  ready  in  half  an  hour,"  he  said. 

"  The  whole  thing  will  be  burned  up  in  less  than 
that  time,"  Dean  replied,  laughingly,  as  he  made  an 
attack  upon  the  ripe  fruit. 

(Satisfied  that  his  portion  of  the  work  had  been 
well  done,  Tongla  laid  down  in  his  hammock  and 
swung  leisurely  to  and  fro,  enjoying  the  fragrant 
odor  of  the  chocolate,  until  sufficient  time  had 
elapsed  for  the  game  to  cook.  Then,  to  the  sur- 
prise of  his  companions,  he  took  the  roast  in  prime 
condition  from  the  ashes.  As  a  matter  of  course 
the  outside  leaves  were  burned ;  but  the  inner 
wrappings  remained  uninjured,  and  both  Koy  and 
Dean  were  forced  to  admit  that  they  had  never 
eaten  more  delicious  meat. 

"  You  shall  be  chief  cook  after  this,  Tongla,"'  Eoy 
said,  as  he  sipped  his  chocolate  lazily  when  the  feast 
was  ended,  "  and  we  will  be  content  to  act  the  part 
of  assistants." 

"  We  shall  have  fish  to-morrow,  and  armadillo  the 
day  following,  all  prepared  Indian  fashion." 

"  Do  you  think  we  will  be  wandering  around  as 
long  as  that  ?"  Dean  asked,  in  surprise. 

"  We  have  yet  to  remain  in  the  forest  a  long  while. 
Even  though  the  followers  of  Kabul  were  not  hunt- 
ing for  us,  it  would  require  many  days  to  reach  the 
hacienda  from  here,  unless  we  went  by  way  of  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  ?? 

ruins,  and  with  them  to  guard  the  passes  of  the 
range  our  journey  will  be  a  weary  one,"  the  Indian 
boy  replied.  "  But  we  must  not  complain,  since  we 
were  allowed  to  leave  the  abiding-place  of  the  gods." 

"I  won't  do  any  grumbling;  but  if  father  and 
mother  reach  the  plantation  before  we  do  they  will 
be  terribly  worried." 

u  Don't  speak  of  that,  Dean,"  Koy  said.  "  Our 
courage  will  soon  be  gone  if  we  keep  in  mind  what 
may  happen  at  home.  We'll  simply  think  of  what's 
before  us,  and  get  back  in  the  least  possible  time, 
which  is  all  that  can  be  done  under  the  circum- 
stances." 

"Watch  must  be  kept  to-night,"  Tongla  said, 
when  his  companions  ceased  their  mournful  conver- 
sation, "  and  I  will  go  to  sleep  now  in  order  to  have 
my  eyes  open  during  the  hours  of  darkness." 

"  Yery  well ;  but  we  don't  intend  that  you  shall 
perform  the  whole  of  that  work.  Each  one  is  to  do 
his  full  share." 

The  Indian  made  no  reply,  and  a  few  moments 
later  his  loud,  regular  breathing  told  that  he  was 
enjoying  the  well-earned  slumber. 

Koy  and  Dean  busied  themselves  by  putting  the 
camp  to  rights  for  the  night.  The  knapsacks  con- 
taining the  idols  were  hung  on  the  tree  above  Eoy's 
hammock;  the  fowling-pieces  rested  across  the 
lower  limbs,  where  they  could  be  gotten  at  ieadily ; 
and  the  remainder  of  the  outfit,  including  such  of 
the  plantains  as  were  left  from  dinner,  were  disposed 
of  in  various  places,  where  they  could  not  be  injured 
by  reptiles  or  wild  beasts. 


78  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

When  everything  was  arranged  to  their  satisfac- 
tion the  shadows  were  beginning  to  lengthen,  and 
the  night-sounds  of  the  forest,  similar  to  what  had 
been  heard  while  in  the  ruined  palace,  caused  the 
boys  to  feel  decidedly  nervous. 

"  I  suppose  there  are  jaguars  around  these  parts," 
Dean  said,  as  he  clambered  into  his  hammock  once 
more ;  "  and  although  we  are  no  safer  up  here,  one 
can't  help  feeling  that  there  is  less  danger." 

"  I  have  been  thinking  about  wild  beasts  ever  since 
Tongla  spoke  so  positively  about  our  being  many 
days  in  the  woods.  Fowling-pieces  are  not  exactly 
the  sort  of  weapons  with  which  to  meet  even  a 
puma,  sneak  though  he  is,  and  we  are  certain  to  run 
across  plenty  of  them  in  this  wild  portion  of  the 
country." 

"  Couldn't  we  build  some  kind  of  a  boat  and  sail 
down  the  river  a  piece  2" 

"  If  Tongla  intends  to  follow  along  the  bank  very 
far  before  striking  across  to  the  range  I  shall  insist 
on  making  a  raft,  and  then  we  can  at  least  sleep 
with  some  degree  of  security." 

Any  reference  to  the  direction  in  which  they 
were  to  travel  naturally  led  the  conversation  to  a 
question  as  to  the  probable  time  when  they  could 
get  home,  and,  despite  Eoy's  desire  to  keep  all  such 
thoughts  far  from  his  mind,  they  talked  of  nothing 
else  until  night  had  fully  settled  down. 

The  sense  of  loneliness  experienced  at  the  ruins  was 
here  intensified ;  the  vastness  of  the  forest  terrified 
them,  and  it  was  a  positive  relief  when  Tongla  awoke 
and  asked : 


THE  THEASURE-FlNDEItS.  ?9 

"  Have  I  been  asleep  long  ?" 

"  It  hasn't  seemed  such  a  very  great  while  except 
since  the  sun  set.  Can't  you  take  another  nap? 
Neither  Dean  nor  I  feel  like  sleeping  yet  awhile." 

"  My  eyes  are  rested,  and  it  is  time  to  be  on 
guard." 

Koy  felt  quite  positive  he  would  not  sink  into 
slumber  amid  such  surroundings ;  but  after  an  hour 
had  passed,  and  the  Indian  boy  positively  refused  to 
talk  or  allow  his  companions  to  do  so,  both  the 
white  members  of  the  party  were  wrapped  in  bliss- 
ful unconsciousness. 

Tongla  no  longer  remained  stretched  out  at  full 
length,  but  sat  upright  listening  intently  to  every 
sound,  as  if  expecting  each  instant  to  hear  the  voices 
of  those  who  had  been  left  behind  at  the  ruins. 

Suddenly  a  faint  squeak  was  heard  far  away  in 
the  distance,  and  the  Indian  boy  reached  cautiously 
for  his  bow  and  arrows,  which  were  twisted  in  the 
cords  of  his  hammock.  Then  a  grunt,  such  as  one 
would  have  said  was  made  by  a  common  hog,  and 
instantly  it  seemed  as  if  from  every  quarter  pigs  of 
all  sizes  and  shapes  flocked  toward  the  fugitives. 
Save  for  the  absence  of  a  tail,  and  a  very  sharp 
nose,  they  were  like  those  seen  in  our  farm-yards, 
but  their  behavior  was  entirely  different. 

One  old  fellow  with  long,  yellow  tusks,  which 
gleamed  in  the  moonlight,  leaped  upward  as  if  to 
satisfy  himself  as  to  the  contents  of  the  hammocks, 
and  then  the  sleepers  were  awakened  by  such  a  din 
as  they  had  never  heard  before. 

"  What  is  the  matter  ?"  Roy  asked,  in  bewilder- 


80  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

ment ;  and  then,  as  his  eyes  fell  upon  the  grunting, 
squealing,  leaping  mass  below,  he  added,  "  Why, 
they  are  hogs !" 

"  Warees,"  Tongla  replied,  laconically ;  "  and  it  is 
time  to  have  your  guns  ready,  for  if  one  should  get 
hold  of  a  hammock  the  struggle  would  be  short — 
for  us." 


TREASURE-*  INDEHti.  81 


T 


CHAPTER  IX. 

RAFT-B  TJILDING. 

HE  BOYS  could  hardly  have  been  more  awk- 
wardly situated  than  now,  when  they  were 
called  upon  to  defend  themselves  against  the  drove 
of  warees.  All  the  fighting  must  necessarily  be 
done  from  the  hammocks,  and  the  first  incautious 
move  would  precipitate  the  careless  one  to  the 
ground,  where  a  horrible  death  could  not  be  escaped. 

Roy  would  have  opened  fire  regardless  of  the  fact 
that  the  supply  of  ammunition  had  been  sadly  re- 
duced during  the  battle  at  the  ruins ;  but  Tongla 
prevented  him  by  saying : 

"  We  should  do  no  good  in  killing  them.  Twelve 
would  take  the  place  of  each  one  that  dropped.  Re- 
main on  the  alert,  for  the  moment  may  come  when 
every  shot  must  count  in  defense  of  our  lives." 

After  a  second  survey  of  the  scene  the  boys  real- 
ized how  little  execution  they  could  do  among  such 
a  number.  The  ground  appeared  to  be  actually 
alive  with  hogs,  while  hundreds  among  the  foliage 
were  fighting  to  gain  admittance  to  the  space  which 
had  been  cleared  between  the  trees.  They  were  so 
numerous  that  not  a  few  were  literally  pressed  up- 
ward on  the  backs  of  their  fellows,  thus  bringing 
them  so  much  nearer  the  hammocks. 


&2  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Half  a  dozen  times  did  Tongla,  leaning  over,  with 
his  legs  twined  firmly  around  the  cords,  strike  with 
his  machete,  and  at  each  blow  the  other  animals 
seized  upon  the  wounded  one,  tearing  him  into 
shreds  almost  before  his  last  squeal  had  died  away. 

Koy  and  Dean  were  eager  to  join  in  this  kind  of 
attack;  but  the  Indian  boy  peremptorily  insisted 
that  they  remain  passive. 

"  You  are  not  able  yet  to  use  the  machete  with 
skill,  and  to  fail  of  a  stroke  would  be  fatal.  If  the 
hammock  should  turn  under  you,  all  would  be  over." 

There  was  little  need  to  tell  the  boys  this,  for 
even  in  their  efforts  to  see  what  their  companion 
was  doing,  it  became  difficult  to  prevent  being 
thrown  out. 

Koy  noticed  that  Tongla  did  not  dare  to  strike 
save  when  the  target  was  presented  fairly,  and  in 
such  a  manner  that  there  was  no  possibility  of  sink- 
ing the  weapon  so  deep  that  it  could  be  pulled  from 
his  hands. 

How  long  this  singular  attack  lasted  none  of  the 
boys  could  say  with  any  degree  of  accuracy.  It 
seemed,  however,  as  if  many  hours  elapsed  before 
detachments  of  the  animals  began  to  move  away. 
As  fast  as  one  drove,  wearied  with  their  vain  exer- 
tions, left  the  cleared  space  to  seek  a  more  promis- 
ing place  for  obtaining  food,  another  took  their 
place,  and  thus  the  useless  battle  was  waged  until 
nearly  daybreak. 

During  that  time  Tongla  had  wounded  not  less 
than  twenty  of  the  hogs,  and  nothing  save  the  bones 
served  to  show  that  any  had  fallen. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  83 

It  was  with  the  most  intense  relief  that  the  boys 
heard  the  grunting  of  the  last  drove  as  they  plunged 
into  the  underbrush  squealing  in  baffled  rage,  and 
Dean  said,  as  he  drew  a  long  breath  expressive  of 
satisfaction : 

"  I  began  to  think  they  would  never  get  discour- 
aged. It  was  luck  for  us  that  a  jaguar  didn't  hap- 
pen along  while  those  hogs  were  dancing  so  near." 

"The  jaguar  never  comes  when  he  hears  the 
warees.  Before  he  could  kill  one  the  others  would 
eat  him,"  Tongla  replied  in  his  usual  sedate  manner. 
"  Will  you  sleep  now  ?" 

"I  should  as  soon  think  of  singing,"  Eoy  said, 
quickly.  "  After  five  or  six  hours  of  such  experience 
a  fellow's  eyes  are  propped  wide  open.  It  can't  be 
very  long  before  sunrise,  and  let's  decide  upon  what 
is  to  be  done  when  daylight  comes.  How  far  do 
you  propose  to  go  down  the  river  before  trying  to 
cross  the  range?" 

"  To  the  land  of  the  Kama  Indians,  where  is  a  pass 
to  the  Poderoso  river.  From  there  to  the  lake  we 
shall  be  among  friends,  and  it  will  be  easy  to  reach 
the  Coloney  plantation." 

"How  long  will  it  take?" 

"Ten  days  if  we  walk  rapidly,  and  are  not  stopped 
by  the  Woolwas." 

"  Then  it  will  be  much  better  to  build  a  raft.  It 
won't  delay  us  more  than  one  day,  and  by  anchor- 
ing we  can  sleep  on  board  with  some  little  degree  of 
comfort  compared  to  such  lodgings  as  these,  where 
hogs  and  mosquitoes  congregate  in  equal  numbers." 

"  It  might  be  well,"  Tongla  replied,  doubtfully ; 


84  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"but  there  are  many  dangers  to  be  met  on  the 
water." 

"  I'll  answer  for  it  they  can't  be  as  great  as  on  the 
land,  where  wild  beasts  and  snakes  threaten  a  fellow 
at  every  step.  With  forty  pounds  of  gold  to  carry, 
our  luggage  is  pretty  heavy  through  this  matted 
foliage." 

"We  will  begin  work  on  the  raft  when  the  day 
appears ;  but  it  is  not  certain  the  followers  of  Kabul 
are  beyond  sound  of  our  machetes." 

"  Such  trees  as  we  need  can  be  cut  down  the  first 
thing,  and  after  that  there  will  be  very  little  reason 
for  making  a  noise." 

It  was  not  necessary  to  remain  long  idle.  In  less 
than  an  hour  the  day  began  to  break,  and  the 
instant  it  was  light  enough  to  see  surrounding 
objects  clearly  all  the  party  were  at  work.  A  break- 
fast of  plantains  sufficed,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  the 
enemy  from  the  ruins  might  be  in  close  pursuit ;  and, 
using  the  machetes  as  axes,  the  boys  felled  ten  palm- 
trees,  cutting  the  trunks  into  twelve-foot  lengths. 

Many  times  while  this  work  was  in  progress  did 
Tongla  go  back  toward  the  outlet  of  the  tunnel  to 
learn  whether  any  one  was  in  the  vicinity,  and  on 
each  occasion  his  report  was  the  same : 

"  They  have  not  come  yet ;  it  must  be  that  our 
flight  is  yet  undiscovered." 

"  Probably  all  hands  are  sitting  around  the  ruins 
waiting  to  starve  us  out,"  Roy  said,  laughingly ;  and 
then  he  and  Dean  gathered  vines  to  be  used  as  ropes 
while  Tongla  lashed  the  logs  together. 

There  was  no  thought  of  indulging  in  a  siesta. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  85 

The  work  must  be  finished  in  the  least  possible  time, 
and  despite  the  intense  heat  which  threatened  to 
overpower  them,  as  well  as  the  vast  clouds  of 
mosquitoes  whose  skill  in  blood-letting  never 
diminished,  each  member  of  the  party  labored  in- 
dustriously. 

It  was  yet  an  hour  before  nightfall  when  the 
frail  craft  floated  near  the  bank,  fastened  by  its 
hawser  of  twisted  vines,  and  the  fugitives  prepared 
to  go  on  board  for  the  night. 

The  raft  was  twelve  feet  square,  with  an  upright 
at  either  corner  to  which  the  hammocks  could  be 
slung,  and  in  the  middle  a  quantity  of  earth  whereon 
a  fire  might  be  built  without  fear  of  destroying  the 
timbers.  A  large  pile  of  fuel  was  heaped  beside  it, 
not  expressly  for  cooking  purposes,  but  in  order  to 
raise  a  smoke  as  a  check  to  the  blood-thirsty  mos- 
quitoes. 

The  knapsacks  containing  the  idols  were  lashed 
securely  to  one  of  the  uprights ;  the  remainder  of 
the  traps  were  deposited  on  various  portions  of  the 
craft  in  such  a  manner  as  to  keep  her  in  trim; 
Tongla  procured  another  bunch  of  plantains,  and 
ever\rthing  was  in  readiness  for  departure. 

"  We'll  let  her  drift  half  an  hour  or  so,  and  then 
anchor  where  the  current  does  not  run  too  strong," 
Roy  said,  as  he  seized  one  of  the  poles  which  had 
been  cut  for  the  purpose  of  guiding  the  clumsy 
craft. 

Dean  joined  his  brother,  Tongla  looked  around 
once  more  to  make  sure  nothing  had  been  left  be- 
hind, and  the  hawser  was  cast  off. 


80  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

The  raft  drifted  at  the  rate  of  about  two  miles  an 
hour,  which  was  quite  as  fast  as  the  boys  could 
have  walked  with  their  burdens  through  the  matted 
foliage,  and  for  the  first  time  since  learning  how 
long  a  distance  lay  before  them,  Koy  and  Dean  be- 
gan to  believe  the  distance  might  be  safely  traversed. 

It  was  not  allowed  them  to  remain  idle  ;  prudence 
demanded  that  the  frail  craft  should  be  kept  so  near 
the  bank  that  they  could  land  whenever  it  became 
necessary,  and  to  do  this  the  raft  must  be  guided  in 
a  certain  degree.  Each  of  the  voyagers  used  his 
pole  whenever  the  collection  of  logs  veered  too  far 
from  the  shore,  and  a  few  minutes  before  sunset, 
having  arrived  opposite  a  small  cove,  the  raft  was 
forced  in  beyond  the  influence  of  the  current. 

It  was  a  safe  place  in  which  to  pass  the  night,  so 
far  as  ability  to  gain  the  land  in  case  of  a  sudden 
storm  was  concerned ;  but  the  insect  life  told  that 
the  voyagers'  slumbers  would  not  be  undisturbed, 
for,  as  Dean  said,  "Everything  with  wings  and 
stings  came  to  welcome  them." 

Tongla  built  a  fire  on  the  mound  of  earth,  after 
the  raft  had  been  anchored,  and  by  sprinkling  the 
embers  with  water  from  time  to  time  a  dense  smoke 
was  raised,  in  which  the  boys  found  some  little  re- 
lief while  eating  the  supper  of  plantains  and  tor- 
tillas. 

"  There's  one  big  satisfaction,"  Eoy  said,  deter- 
mined to  extract  all  the  comfort  possible  from  a 
very  disagreeable  position ; "  we  can't  be  attacked  by 
warees  while  lying  here,  and  there  is  no  danger  of 
running  across  snakes,  jaguars  or  pumas." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  87 

"I  believe  these  mosquitoes  bite  right  through 
my  clothes,"  Dean  added,  as  he  flourished  vigor- 
ously the  branch  of  a  tree,  such  as  all  were  using  to 
brush  off  the  pests.  "  People  who  complain  of  the 
number  to  be  found  in  Jersey  should  come  here 
awhile." 

"  I'm  going  to  put " 

"Hist!"  Tongla  interrupted,  suddenly,  leaning 
forward  in  a  listening  attitude. 

The  boys  followed  his  example,  but  could  hear 
nothing  until  after  several  moments,  when  the 
sounds  of  voices  were  distinguished. 

"  They  have  come,"  Tongla  whispered. 

"Who?" 

"The  followers  of  Kabul." 

"  That  can't  be  possible,  or  we  should  have  heard 
them  before  leaving  the  shore." 

"  It  is  an  hour  since  we  started,  and  in  that  time 
they  could  have  walked  from  the  tunnel  to  this 
point." 

"But  if " 

"Be  quiet;  they  are  coming  to  the  water  ;"  and, 
wetting  his  poncho  thoroughly,  Tongla  threw  it 
over  the  fire.  "  Lie  down,  that  you  may  not  be 
seen." 

The  boys  threw  themselves  at  full  length  on  the 
logs,  the  Indian  alone  raising  his  head,  that  he  might 
hear  what  was  said. 

Nearer  and  nearer  approached  the  pursuers,  until 
the  hum  of  voices  could  be  heard  distinctly,  and 
then  a  faint  glow  told  that  the  party  had  come  to  a 
bait 


88  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  It'll  be  a  fortunate  thing  for  us  if  the  scoundrels 
build  much  of  a  fire,"  Roy  whispered  to  Dean,  "  for 
then  there  well  be  less  chance  of  their  seeing  the 
raft." 

"  Why  don't  we  pull  up  the  anchor  and  put  off  ?" 

"  We  shall  be  obliged  to  do  it  before  morning,  if 
they  stay  as  long ;  but  it's  a  little  too  risky  yet 
awhile.  There  is  the  blaze,  and  now  we  can  see 
what  is  going  on." 

The  boys  raised  their  heads  cautiously  in  imitation 
of  Tongla,  and  saw,  close  by  the  edge  of  the  water, 
a  party  of  five  men,  two  of  whom  were  making 
preparations  for  roasting  an  armadillo.  So  far  as 
could  be  seen  their  only  weapons  were  machetes 
and  arrows;  but  these  would  be  very  effective  in 
case  the  fugitives  should  be  hemmed  in  where  flight 
was  impossible. 

The  new-comers  were  talking  rapidly  r  and  as  they 
pointed  down  the  river  from  time  to  time  there 
could  be  no  question  but  that  the  subject  of  conver- 
sation was  regarding  the  probable  whereabouts  of 
those  who  had  carried  away  the  golden  idols. 

"  They  know  we  are  on  the  river,"  Tongla  whis- 
pered. 

"  How  did  they  find  it  out  ?" 

"  The  signs  of  our  work  were  plain  enough  for  a 
child  to  read." 

"  Are  you  sure  these  men  were  at  the  ruins  ?" 

"  He  who  is  speaking  now  was  the  one  I  talked 
with  about  surrendering.  They  do  not  believe  we 
will  .dare  to  sail  at  night,  and  think  to  overtake  us 
to-morrow," 


'It  you  wish  to  live,  work  now,"  Tongla  said,  as  two  arrows  struck: 
the  water  net  more  than  three  feet  away. 


90  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"Then  the  crowd  are  to  start  before  sunrise?" 
Eoy  asked,  quickly,  fancying  there  was  a  chance  the 
raft  would  not  be  discovered. 

"  They  will  stay  until  the  day  has  dawned ;  and 
later,  when  some  are  wrapped  in  slumber,  we  must 
leave." 

"  And  allow  them  to  overtake  us  ?  Those  fellows 
can  travel  faster  than  this  raft  will  drift." 

"  True ;  but  we  shall  try  to  gain  the  other  shore, 
where,  in  a  place  like  this,  we  can  remain  hidden 
until  they  give  up  the  chase." 

This  was  clearly  the  best  and  only  thing  which 
could  be  done  under  the  circumstances,  and  the 
boys  waited  patiently  until  the  time  for  action 
should  arrive. 

During  fully  two  hours  the  men  lounged  around 
the  fire,  eating  and  smoking,  and  then  one  after  an- 
other laid  down  until  only  the  sentinel  remained 
awake. 

"  Now  we  must  start,"  Tongla  whispered  to  Koy. 
"  Pull  up  the  anchor  without  making  a  ripple  in  the 
water,  and  I  will  begin  to  push  off." 

Dean  was  to  aid  the  Indian  boy,  and  while  the 
two  settled  the  poles  carefully  over  the  end  nearest 
the  shore,  Roy  hauled  in  the  anchor  of  stones. 

The  crew  of  the  raft  worked  silently  as  shadows, 
and  the  collection  of  logs  had  already  begun  to  move 
from  the  cove,  when  the  pole  in  Tongla's  hands  broke 
with  a  crash  sufficient  to  awaken  the  sleepers. 

Dropping  the  fragments,  he  sprung  for  the  other, 
which  Koy  was  just  picking  up ;  but  before  it  could 
be  used  a  harsh  voice  from  the  shore  hailed  them. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  93 

"  If  you  wish  to  live,  work  now !"  Tongla  said, 
hoarsely,  as  two  arrows  struck  the  water  not  more 
than  three  feet  away ;  but  his  injunction  was  not 
needed,  for  both  Roy  and  Dean  were  fully  aware  of 
the  danger  which  menaced  them. 


92  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE   X. 

A     PERILOUS      TRIP. 

FOKTUNATE  indeed  was  it  for  the  boys  that 
the  Indians  had  built  the  fire ;  the  glare  of  the 
flames  prevented  them  from  seeing  the  fugitives, 
and  the  great  number  of  arrows  sent  immediately 
after  the  discovery  were  necessarily  shot  at  random. 

Now  that  there  were  but  two  poles  remaining,  Roy 
and  Dean  used  one  while  Tongla  worked  with  the 
other ;  and  it  can  well  be  fancied  all  did  their  utmost, 
for  after  the  first  shower  of  arrows  the  men  ran  with 
great  speed  around  the  shore  of  the  cove  to  shoot 
down  the  fugitives  when  the  raft  should  pass  out. 

Although  the  craft  was  clumsy,  her  timbers  were 
so  light  that  the  force  expended  sent  her  ahead  very 
rapidly,  and  before  the  enemy  could  reach  the  point 
of  the  indentation  she  struck  the  current,  which 
whirled  her  quickly  beyond  reach  of  the  primitive 
weapons. 

As  a  matter  of  course  the  poles  were  useless  when 
the  raft  was  in  deep  water,  save  as  they  might  be 
worked,  in  a  very  feeble  way,  after  the  fashion  of 
oars,  and  as  the  white  members  of  the  party  ceased 
pushing  they  could  not  refrain  from  a  triumphant 
cheer. 

"  We  have  escaped  for  awhile,"  Tongla  said,  with- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  93 

out  any  show  of  exultation ;  "  but  they  know  we 
must  continue  on  down  the  river,  and  will  keep  pace 
with  us  until  morning,  when  we  will  be  at  their 
mercy." 

"  I  thought  you  were  going  to  the  other  side  and 
stay  in  hiding  two  or  three  days,"  Koy  exclaimed, 
thinking  the  boy  had  suddenly  changed  his  plans. 

"  It  is  what  I  would  like  to  do,  but  unless  the 
river  carries  us  there  we  will  remain  in  the  current. 
The  raft  cannot  be  guided,  therefore  we  are  help- 
less." 

This  idea  was  intensified  by  the  manner  in  which 
the  bamboo-logs  were  whirled  to  and  fro  in  the  dark- 
ness. Not  being  able  to  see  the  shore,  the  twisting 
and  turning  of  the  raft  appeared  doubly  violent, 
until  it  was  as  if  the  fugitives  had  suddenly  been 
thrown  upon  some  vast  inland  sea. 

From  the  time  of  leaving  the  cove  nothing  was 
heard  from  the  enemy ;  but  Tongla  felt  certain  they 
were  following  down  the  course  of  the  river,  and 
twice  he  cautioned  his  companions  against  speaking 
above  a  whisper,  since  the  sound  of  their  voices 
would  serve  to  tell  the  pursuers  where  they  were. 

One,  two  hours  passed,  with  all  hands  ignorant  of 
the  progress  they  might  be  making,  and  then  Ton- 
gla, who  had  been  using  his  pole  as  an  oar  rather 
than  remain  idle,  said  in  a  hoarse  whisper : 

"We  are  in  shoal  water,  and,  I  believe,  on  the 
side  of  the  river  we  wish  to  gain.  Push,  now,  and 
we  shall  soon  know  if  the  Fates  have  been  kind  to 
us." 

During  the  next  ten  minutes  the  boys  worked 


94  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

with  a  will,  and  then  the  question  was  decided  in  a 
manner  which  gave  them  the  greatest  possible  pleas- 
ure. The  raft  had  been  swung  to  the  opposite 
shore,  and  when  she  was  firmly  fixed  on  the  sand 
Tongla  leaped  among  the  foliage. 

"Make  certain  she  doesn't  float  away  while  I 
hunt  for  a  sheltered  place  in  which  we  can  remain. 
Everything  must  be  arranged  before  daylight,  or  it 
will  be  too  late." 

Even  as  the  remark  was  concluded  he  had  started 
down  the  bank,  and  Hoy  and  Dean  waited  with  as 
much  patience  as  they  could  command  for  his  re- 
port. 

"  It's  pretty  tough  to  be  obliged  to  stay  some- 
where around  here  when  we  should  be  traveling  at 
our  best  gait  toward  home,"  the  latter  said,  sorrow- 
fully, and  his  brother  replied : 

"  It  can't  be  helped,  and  we  must  make  the  best  of 
it.  Tongla  has  shown  himself  to  be  in  the  right  thus 
far,  and  it  would  be  folly  to  refuse  his  advice.  Be 
sides,  we  already  have  good  proof  of  what  the  In- 
dians will  do  in  order  to  get  the  idols,  and  at  the 
same  time  punish  us  for  wounding  the  Sukia  woman. 
It  would  be  better  to  stay  a  month  rather  than  risk 
an  encounter  between  here  and  the  other  side  of  the 
range,  where  they  could  shoot  us  down  from  the 
thicket." 

"  Of  course  I  know  all  this  is  correct,  and  that  we 
could  not  safely  pursue  any  other  plan  ;  but  a  fel- 
low can't  help  feeling  badly." 

"  You  must  help  it !  If  we  grow  discouraged,  the 
chances  of  ever  getting  home  again  are  very  much 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  95 

lessened.  Try  and  think  it  is  a  trip  of  our  own 
choosing." 

"  I  wish  I  could  ;"  and  Dean  spoke  in  such  a  lugu- 
brious tone  that  his  brother  was  forced  to  laugh, 
even  though  he  felt  very  little  like  merry-making. 

"  I'd  willingly  pitch  the  idols  overboard,  regardless 
of  their  value,  if  it  would  do  any  good,"  Hoy  said, 
musingly ;  "  but  since  nothing  can  be  effected  by 
such  a  course,  it  would  be  folly  to  throw  away  so 
much  treasure." 

"  If  we  can  escape  from  the  men  it  will  be  pos- 
sible to  carry  the  gold  with  us,  and  we'll  stick  to  it 
until  the  last  moment." 

"  The  Indians  must  tire  of  the  chase  in  two  or 
three  days  if  we  succeed  in  hiding  ourselves,  and 
either  give  it  up  entirely  or  search  further  down 
the  river  ;  therefore  I  don't  think  our  stay  here  will 
be  very  long.  Keep  up  your  courage,  and  we  will 
come  out  all  right." 

"  I  hope  so,"  was  the  fervent  ejaculation,  and  then 
the  conversation  was  interrupted  by  Tongla's  ar- 
rival. 

"  I  do  not  find  any  cove  below  here,"  he  said ; 
"  therefore  it  only  remains  for  us  to  take  the  raft  to 
pieces,  for  she  must  be  completely  hidden  by  day- 
light." 

"  Did  you  go  up  stream  ?"  Eoy  asked. 

"  It  would  be  useless  labor  to  do  that ;  for  how- 
ever good  a  harbor  might  be  found,  we  could  not 
drag  the  raft  against  the  current." 

"  But  it  seems  such  a  waste  of  work  to  take  her 
apart  after  all  the  trouble  of  making  her." 


96  THE  TREASURE-BINDERS. 

"  Better  that  than  a  visit  from  the  followers  of 
Kabul,  and  their  eyes  are  keen.  We  can  use  the 
timbers  to  build  a  house,  and  when  the  search  is 
ended  use  them  again.  It  will  be  necessary  to  work 
in  the  darkness,  and  no  time  is  to  be  lost,  for  not  a 
sound  must  be  made  after  the  sun  has  risen." 

Stifling  his  regret  because  the  little  craft  was  to 
be  destroyed,  Roy  began  to  bring  their  goods  ashore, 
and  Dean  helped  Tongla  unfasten  the  ropes  of  bark, 
all  of  which  were  to  be  carried  into  the  thicket  lest 
by  floating  down  stream  they  might  disclose  at  least 
a  portion  of  the  secret. 

It  was  by  no  means  safe  to  enter  the  forest  when 
the  darkness  was  so  profound  that  neither  of  the 
workers  could  have  any  idea  what  might  be  his  path ; 
but  the  Indian  boy  led  the  way,  as  if  there  was 
nothing  to  cause  alarm,  and  the  others  could  do  no 
less  than  follow  his  example 

Tongla  would  allow  no  loud  talking,  nor  would 
he  listen  to  Eoy's  proposition  that  they  clear  the 
ground,  as  had  been  done  at  the  last  halting-place. 
Selecting  a  spot  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  some 
logwood-trees  he  formed  a  hut  sufficiently  large  to 
shelter  them  at  night,  and  strong  enough  to  resist 
an  attack  from  wild  animals,  unless  the  warees 
should  pay  them  a  visit. 

The  bamboo  timbers  were  simply  set  up  like  an 
"  A  "  tent  and  tied  securely  at  the  top,  the  bottom 
ends  being  spread  about  six  feet.  The  rear  of  this 
poor  apology  for  a  hut,  as  well  as  the  bottom,  was 
closed  with  brush  and  smaller  timbers,  as  a  partial 
protection  against  visits  from  scorpions  and  such 


THE 

other  disagreeable  creeping  things,  while  the  front 
remained  open. 

Working  in  the  darkness,  as  they  did,  it  was  im- 
possible to  form  a  very  good  idea  of  their  handi- 
work until  after  sunrise,  when  no  one  felt  particu- 
larly well  pleased.  It  was  little  more  than  a  shel- 
ter, and  in  order  to  swing  three  hammocks  it  would 
be  necessary  to  have  them  hang  very  near  the 
ground. 

"  It  will  seem  a  little  better  when  we  cut  away 
the  foliage,"  Koy  said,  after  a  critical  examination 
of  the  place.  "  We  must  have  all  that  sort  of  stuff 
out  before  it's  safe  to  stay  very  long  inside,  for  no 
one  knows  what  kind  of  tenants  we  may  already 
have." 

•"That  can  easily  be  done  without  making  any 
noise,"  Dean  replied ;  and  the  three  set  about  the 
task  at  once,  for  all  felt  the  need  of  sleep. 

Previous  to  this,  and  just  about  daybreak,  Tongla 
went  to  the  water's  edge  and  obliterated,  so  far  as 
was  possible,  the  footprints  on  the  sand,  saying,  as 
he  returned : 

"  It  is  necessary  great  care  should  be  taken  when 
we  visit  the  river,  for  the  Indians  ?nay  search  this 
side,  and  a  footprint  would  tell  them  very  much." 

There  was  yet  quite  an  amount  of  the  agouti 
roast  yet  remaining,  and  this,  together  with  what 
had  been  brought  from  home  and  the  plantains, 
stocked  the  larder  plentifully  for  the  coming  twenty- 
four  hours. 

When  a  hearty  breakfast  had  been  eaten  Eoy 
proposed  that  each  stand  watch  at  some  point  near 


98  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

the  river  for  one  hour  at  a  time.  By  this  means 
every  fellow  would  get  two  hours  sleep  on  a  stretch, 
and  by  nighfall  all  be  so  far  rested  that,  if  neces- 
sary, the  entire  party  could  remain  awake. 

To  this  Tongla  agreed,  with  the  proviso  that  he 
take  the  first  watch,  and  the  others  very  willingly 
threw  themselves  in  their  hammocks  while  he  began 
beating  down  the  shrubs  and  vines  in  the  midst  of 
a  clump  of  plantain-trees  which  overlooked  the  river. 

When  Hoy  was  called  to  do  his  share  of  the  guard 
duty  he  found  quite  a  comfortable  place  in  which  to 
spend  an  hour,  providing,  of  course,  that  no  account 
is  taken  of  the  swarms  of  hungry  mosquitoes  which 
hung  everywhere  around  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  the  river  until  it  was  as  if  one  looked  through  a 
veil.  Tongla  had  cleared  a  spot  in  the  midst  of  the 
plantain-trees,  so  far  as  was  possible  without  strik- 
ing any  heavy  blows,  and  the  Indians'  eyes  would 
have  been  very  sharp  had  they  detected  the  sentinel 
while  passing  on  a  boat  or  raft. 

"  There  is  no  fear  of  snakes,"  Tongla  said,  "  and 
by  trampling  down  the  earth  now  and  then  we  can 
prevent  the  scorpions  from  finding  a  hiding-place. 
Call  me  at  once  if  you  should  see  the  followers  of 
Kabul." 

"  I'll  promise  to  do  that ;  and  now  you  scoop  in  all 
the  sleep  possible,  otherwise  we  shall  have  you  on 
our  hands  sick." 

"  It  is  the  white  men  whom  the  fever  attacks,  not 
an  Indian  who  has  always  lived  in  the  country," 
Tongla  replied ;  but  he  did  as  Roy  advised  without 
loss  of  time. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  §§ 

During  the  hour  which  followed,  Roy  alternately 
looked  up  and  down  the  river,  fought  mosquitoes, 
and  tramped  to  and  fro  to  get  the  earth  into  proper 
condition.  It  was  not  particularly  hard  work ;  but 
he  did  not  feel  sorry  to  arouse  Dean,  for  his  eyes 
were  decidedly  heavy  with  sleep. 

"  You  needn't  speak  so  loud,"  Dean  said,  as  his 
brother  called  him.  "I  have  been  awake  for  the 
last  half  hour." 

"What  is  the  matter?" 

"  I  feel  cold,  and  my  head  aches.  Walking  around 
on  guard  will  warm  me  up,  I  reckon,  and  the  head- 
ache comes  from  the  excitement.  Matters  have 
been  so  lively  that  I  didn't  have  time  before  to  find 
out  how  tired  I  was." 

Eoy  did  not  pay  any  particular  attention  to  his 
brother's  complaints.  It  seemed  only  reasonable 
that  all  the  party  should  feel  rather  the  worse  for 
wear,  and  he  fancied  twenty -four  hours  of  rest  would 
work  a  complete  change. 

"  You'll  sleep  after  standing  watch  an  hour,"  he 
said,  carelessly ;  and  as  Dean  walked  away  he  laid 
down  in  the  hammock,  rejoicing  in  the  thought  that 
it  would  be  a  hundred  and  twenty  minutes  before 
his  turn  as  sentinel  came  around  again. 

It  seemed  to  Roy  as  if  he  had  but  just  closed  his 
eyes  in  slumber  when  Dean  shook  him  by  the 
shoulder. 

"  What's  up  ?"  he  cried,  springing  to  his  feet ;  and 
there  was  no  need  to  repeat  the  question.  One 
glance  at  Dean's  face  was  sufficient  to  show  that  the 
boy  was  very  ill.  He  was  pale,  his  teeth  chattered 


100  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

as  if  with  the  cold,  and  every  movement  betokened 
severe  pain. 

"  I  couldn't  stay  out  there  any  longer,"  the  poor 
fellow  said,  as  he  clambered  into  the  hammock.  "  It's 
tough  to  shirk  work,  but  walking  didn't  do  any 
good,  and  I  knew  you'd  help  me  through  by  doing  a 
double  share  of  watching  until  this  queer  feeling 
passes  away." 

u  You  ought  not  have  staid  there  a  single  minute. 
I  should  have  seen  that  you  were  not  well."  And 
Hoy's  face  told  how  frightened  he  was,  for  should 
his  brother  be  dangerously  ill  just  at  this  time,  the 
result  could  hardly  fail  of  being  fatal. 

By  this  time  Tongla  was  awake,  and  after  one  look 
at  Dean  he  ran  out  of  the  hut  without  speaking,  a 
proceeding  which  served  to  increase  Roy's  fears. 

"Tongla  is  frightened,  thinking  it  some  contagious 
disease,  and  has  run  away,"  he  said  to  himself, 
"  while  I  haven't  the  slightest  idea  what  to  do." 

Dean  ceased  to  complain,  but  lay  as  if  insensible, 
and  his  brother  stood  gazing  at  him  in  speechless 
terror. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  101 


CHAPTEE  XL 

FEVER     AND     AGUE. 

ROY  HAD  good  cause  for  fear.  In  a  trackless 
forest,  closely  pursued  by  vengeful  enemies, 
where  nothing  save  the  simples  of  the  woods  could 
be  procured  to  arrest  disease,  this  sudden  illness 
seemed  more  like  the  blow  of  an  assassin's  knife  than 
something  which  could  be  warded  off.  The  unhaj^y 
boy  was  firmly  convinced  that  Tongla  had  fled,  and 
with  him  went  all  hope  of  finding  their  way  back  to 
the  plantation,  even  should  Dean  recover  immedi- 
ately. 

"  If  I  only  knew  what  to  do !"  he  cried,  chafing 
his  brother's  hands  and  covering  him  with  every- 
thing which  promised  to  counteract  the  dreadful 
chill. 

Then  the  thought  occurred  that  a  cup  of  hot 
chocolate  might  give  relief,  and  he  began  to  build  a 
fire,  regardless  of  the  fact  that  the  smoke  might  be 
seen  by  those  who  were  seeking  to  destroy  them. 

Hurriedly  gathering  such  fragments  of  dry  wood 
as  could  be  found  near  the  hut,  he  was  about  to 
start  a  blaze,  when  Tongla  arrived,  panting  and 
heated,  as  if  from  rapid  traveling. 

"  You  must  not  do  that !"  the  Indian  boy  cried, 
excitedly,  as  he  scattered  the  pile  of  kindlings  with 


102  TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

his.  foot.  "  The  followers  of  Kabul  are  yet  too  near, 
and  one  puff  of  smoke  would  bring  them  upon 
us." 

"  But  we  can't  let  Dean  lay  there  without  trying 
in  some  way  to  aid  him,  no  matter  how  many  men 
may  be  around  here,"  Roy  said,  petulantly. 

"  What  were  you  about  to  do  ?" 

"  Make  some  chocolate  and  try  to  warm  him." 

"That  would  be  of  no  use.  He  has  the  fever 
which  attacks  the  white  man,  and  with  these  we  can 
cure  him.  It  is  not  dangerous,  but  painful." 

For  the  first  time  Roy  began  to  understand  the 
cause  of  his  brother's  sudden  sickness.  He  had  a 
severe  attack  of  fever  and  ague,  brought  about  by 
the  night  spent  on  the  river,  and  the  knowledge 
that  matters  were  no  worse  caused  such  a  revulsion 
of  feeling  that  he  came  very  near  shedding  tears  of 


"  Isn't  there  anything  we  can  do  to  relieve  him  2" 
he  asked. 

"When  his  blood  grows  hot  and  greater  pain 
comes  we  will  give  him  these,"  and  Tongla  showed 
four  small  nuts  which  he  held  in  his  hand.  "  I 
will  pound  them  into  powder,  and  after  an  hour  he 
will  be  better." 

"  Was  it  to  get  those  that  caused  you  to  leave  so 
suddenly  ?" 

"Certainly.  I  knew  why  he  suffered,  and  that 
the  physic-nuts  could  alone  relieve  him." 

"  And  I  thought  you  had  run  away,"  Roy  said, 
reproved  because  he  had  done  his  companion  such 
great  injustice. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  103 

"  I  once  offered  to  give  my  life  for  yours ;  there- 
fore you  should  not  believe  me  a  coward." 

"  That  is  true,  Tongla,  and  I  am  sorry  I  so  much 
as  fancied  such  a  thing.  You  have  been  a  good 
friend  to  us,  and  I  will  never  doubt  again ;  but  it 
did  look  strange  to  see  you  run  away  the  moment 
we  learned  that  Dean  was  ill." 

"  I  was  not  certain  the  nuts  could  be  found  near 
here,  and  no  time  was  to  be  lost,  for  we  must  keep 
watch  lest  the  men  come  upon  us  unawares.  I  ran 
swiftly,  that  we  might  be  together  more  quickly." 

Having  thus  defended  himself  when  no  explana- 
tions were  necessary,  Tongla  set  about  grinding  the 
nuts  between  two  stones,  and  before  the  task  was 
finished  a  great  change  came  over  Dean.  The  sen- 
sation of  chilliness  had  left  him,  and  in  its  stead  was 
a  raging  fever,  accompanied  by  pains  in  every  joint. 
The  coverings  were  thrown  off,  and  he  tossed  to 
and  fro  on  the  swinging  bed,  trying  in  vain  to  find 
relief. 

As  soon  as  possible  after  this  the  Indian  boy  ad- 
ministered a  large  dose  of  the  powdered  nuts,  caus- 
ing the  patient  to  vomit  violently,  and  when  this 
effect  passed  away  Dean  fell  into  a  profound  sleep, 
during  which  he  perspired  profusely. 

"  To-morrow  he  will  feel  well,  and  on  the  next  day 
be  sick  again;  but  not  as  he  was  a  few  moments 
ago.  Now,  if  you  watch  the  river — he  is  sure  to  be 
wrapped  in  slumber  many  hours — I  can  go  hunt  for 
cinchona-bark,  with  which  to  make  the  tea  that  cures 
the  fever." 
Convinced  by  the  general  appearance  of  his  brother 


104  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

that  the  illness  had  been  dissipated  in  a  great  meas- 
ure, Koy  went-  once  more  to  the  river-bank,  and  Ton- 
gla  vanished  in  the  gloomy  recesses  of  the  forest. 

The  Indian  boy  returned  two  hours  later  with  a 
handful  of  bark,  which  he  showed  to  Roy  as  he  said: 

"  The  chocolate-pot  must  be  used  to  boil  the  tea, 
and  until  your  brother  is  well  we  shall  drink  water 
or  palm- juice." 

"I  can  get  along  without  anything  if  the  poor 
fellow  recovers;  but  what  do  you  mean  by  palm- 
juice?" 

"  You  shall  see  in  a  few  moments.  It  is  not  well 
to  build  a  fire  until  the  night  comes ;  therefore  we 
have  plenty  of  time.  Have  you  seen  the  enemy  ?" 

"No  one  has  passed  up  or  down  since  I  have 
been  here,  and — hello,  here  comes  a  boat  from  the 
direction  of  the  tunnel!  It  may  be  some  of  the 
people  from  the  plantation  in  search  of  us." 

Excited  by  this  thought,  Roy  would  have  rushed 
recklessly  out  had  not  Tongla  forcibly  restrained 
him,  as  he  asked : 

"Where  would  our  friends  get  a  canoe?  The 
strangers  are  Woolwas,  unless  the  followers  of 
Kabul  have  been  gathered  in  larger  force  to  search 
for  us." 

Creeping  as  close  as  possible  to  the  edge  of  the  bank, 
without  exposing  himself  to  view,  Tongla  watched 
the  approaching  craft  intently.  She  was  manned 
by  four  men,  although  a  dozen  could  have  had 
ample  accommodations  in  her,  and  instead  of  using 
their  paddles  the  crew  wer^  drifting  with  the  cur- 
rent. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  105 

Even  Eoy  understood  the  reason  for  their  com- 
ing when  he  observed  that  they  were  keeping  care- 
ful watch  of  either  bank,  and  Tongla  whispered : 

"  The  Sukia  has  sent  them,  and  many  days  will 
pass  before  they  give  up  the  search.  The  raft  will 
serve  us  no  longer  ;  we  must  seek  safety  in  the  land 
of  the  Woolwas." 

u  Do  you  mean  that  we  are  to  follow  the  river  no 
further  ?" 

"  Answer  the  question  yourself.  With  nine  men, 
and  a  boat  in  which  to  go  and  come  as  they  please, 
is  it  possible  for  us  to  take  passage  on  the  raft,  un- 
less we  desire  to  be  made  prisoners  ?" 

Koy  remained  silent.  Only  by  sheer  force  of  will 
had  he  been  able  to  preserve  even  the  semblance  of 
courage ;  and  now,  with  Dean  sick  and  the  number 
of  the  enemy  increased,  he  broke  down.  Throwing 
himself  on  the  ground  he  gave  full  sway  to  grief, 
and  Tongla  made  no  attempt  to  cheer  him  until  the 
first  violence  of  the  outburst  had  passed  away, 
when  he  said,  soothingly : 

"  I  have  heard  you  say  that  to  grow  disheartened 
is  to  die.  The  gods  have  not  yet  decreed  that  we 
must  perish  because  of  what  was  done  at  the  ruined 
temple,  else  these  men  would  have  found  us  at  once. 
To-morrow  and  the  next  day  must  be  spent  here, 
for  Dean  will  not  be  able  to  travel ;  but  after  then 
we  can  escape  to  the  interior,  and  by  following  the 
Siguia  River  reach  the  coast." 

"  What  is  to  prevent  our  crossing  while  these  men 
are  out  of  sight,  and  taking  our  chances  on  the 
range  ?"  Roy  asked,  passionately. 


106  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"Could  your  brother  walk  now?  Would  it  be 
possible  to  guide  the  raft  across  ?  She  would  float 
many  miles  before  gaining  the  other  side,  and  one 
of  the  searchers  must  see  us.  If  all  these  things 
were  to  be  guarded  against,  there  yet  remain  the 
Sukia  and  those  who  are  with  her  to  cut  off  our  re- 
treat. They  know  it  is  to  the  Coloney  plantation 
we  wish  to  go,  and  every  pass  will  be  watched. 
That  way  lies  almost  certain  death,  while  here  we 
may  outwit  them  all." 

"  At  the  expense  of  falling  into  the  hands  of  the 
"Woolwas." 

"  Who  can  say  that  we  shall  not  be  treated  like 
brothers  among  them  ?  With  the  followers  of  Ka- 
bul they  are  not  at  peace ;  but  will  those  who  flee 
from  the  Sukia  be  injured  ?" 

This  argument  was  not  needed  to  convince  Eoy 
that  it  would  be  in  the  highest  degree  unsafe  to 
make  any  attempt  at  crossing  the  river,  and  his 
grief  having  exhausted  itself,  he  said,  earnestly : 

"  I  won't  make  a  fool  of  myself  again,  Tongla.  It 
would  be  unwise  to  do  other  than  as  you  propose, 
and  we  will  strike  into  the  interior  as  soon  as  Dean 
can  walk.  Are  you  not  afraid  the  Indians  may 
come  back  before  we  are  ready  to  leave  ?" 

"  It  will  take  two  or  three  days  to  search  the  west 
bank  of  the  river,  and  until  that  has  been  done  we 
shall  not  be  troubled,"  Tongla  replied,  in  a  positive 
tone.  "Others  may  come  down;  but  all  believe 
we  would  try  to  gain  the  pass  where  the  Poderoso 
Eiver  could  be  reached,  as,  except  by  way  of  the  ruins, 
it  is  our  only  chance  of  getting  to  the  plantation." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  107 

"  Shall  I  watch  here  any  longer  ?  If  you  are  so 
certain  regarding  the  men's  movements  there  is  no 
need  of  posting  sentinels." 

"  Go  to  your  brother ;  if  he  is  asleep,  lie  down  and 
rest.  I  will  remain  here." 

"But  you  are  even  more  tired  than  I.  Take 
another  nap  now,  and  then  I'll  try  my  hand  at  it." 

"  While  you  and  your  brother  kept  watch  I  slept, 
and  am  now  refreshed." 

It  was  in  vain  that  Koy  insisted  the  Indian  boy 
should  return  to  the  hut.  He  positively  refused  to 
leave  the  bank  of  the  river,  and  since  it  was  needless 
for  two  to  remain  on  guard,  Roy  joined  his  brother. 

Dean  was  in  a  profound  slumber;  there  was 
nothing  to  be  done,  and  the  tired  boy  lay  down  in 
the  hammock,  but  not  to  sleep.  The  knowledge  of 
their  desperate  situation  prevented  his  eyes  from 
closing,  and  after  remaining  inactive  until  the  heat 
of  the  day  had  come  he  went  to  where  Tongla  sat, 
with  his  gaze  fixed  upon  the  swiftly  running  water. 

"  I  must  have  finished  my  nap  before  Dean  awak- 
ened me,"  he  said,  "  and  it  is  impossible  to  lie  down 
any  longer.  If  you  feel  like  it,  turn  in,  for  I'm 
going  to  stay  here  until  night  comes." 

It  was  quite  probable  that  Tongla  was  more  dis- 
turbed in  mind  than  he  was  willing  to  admit,  for  he 
refused  to  take  advantage  of  the  opportunity,  and 
both  boys  remained  on  guard  until  late  in  the  after- 
noon, when  a  feeble  cry  from  Dean  caused  Roy  to 
run  toward  the  hut. 

"  I  was  afraid  something  had  happened  when  I 
found  myself  alone.  Where  have  you  been  ?" 


108  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"With  Tongla,  keeping  watch.  He  was  gone 
quite  a  while  hunting  for  medicine  which  you  are  to 
take  as  soon  as  we  can  make  it.  After  he  got  back 
I  felt  so  thoroughly  awake  that  it  seemed  useless  to 
lie  down.  How  are  you  by  this  time?" 

"The  pain  isn't  as  great,  but  I  am  very  thirsty. 
How  good  a  glass  of  lemonade  would  taste !" 

"I'll  ask  Tongla  if  you  can  have  the  water;  but 
the  lemons  are  a  trifle  beyond  us.  Suppose  you  try 
a  plantain  ?" 

"  No,  no,  I  only  want  something  to  drink." 

Roy  went  to  the  sentinel,  repeated  what  Dean 
had  said,  and  asked  if  there  would  be  any  danger  in 
giving  him  water. 

"Let  him  have  what  he  wants,  and  this  evening  I 
will  get  that  which  shall  be  as  refreshing  as  lemons. 
Come  back  to  keep  watch  while  I  am  away." 

Dean  appeared  to  be  perfectly  satisfied  the  Indian 
boy  would  fulfill  his  promise,  and  after  a  copious 
draught  he  sunk  into  slumber  once  more,  when  Eoy 
rejoined  Tongla. 

"  ]STow  I  will  get  the  lemonade,"  the  latter  said,  as 
he  started  through  the  thicket  after  assuring  him- 
self that  Roy  was  where  he  could  keep  the  river  in 
view. 

The  ripples  of  light  on  the  water,  the  hum  of 
insects  and  the  low  songs  of  birds  served  to  make 
the  scene  one  of  perfect  peace,  and  it  was  difficult 
for  the  watcher  to  keep  constantly  in  mind  the  fact 
that  lurking,  perhaps  in  the  immediate  vicinity, 
among  the  trees,  or  sailing  on  the  river,  were  men 
intent  on  deeds  of  blood.  It  was  only  necessary, 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  10$ 

however,  for  him  to  glance  around  him  to  have  the 
disagreeable  fact  presented  very  plainly,  and  then 
all  beauty  vanished  from  the  picture. 

Tongla  was  absent  fully  an  hour,  and  when  he  re- 
turned he  had  half  a  dozen  trunks  of  young  palm- 
trees  in  his  arms. 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  with  those?"  Roy 
asked,  curiously. 

"Make  the  drink  which  Dean  wants,"  the  boy  re- 
plied. "  Watch,  for  it  may  be  that  some  time  you 
will  wish  to  quench  thirst  in  the  forest  when  there 
is  no  water  to  be  had." 

With  his  knife  the  boy  cut  through  the  shell  of 
the  tree  near  the  top,  taking  out  a  round  piece  of 
the  wood-like  outer  covering  as  one  would  make  a 
second  lid  for  a  box.  Then  he  pushed  the  blade  far 
down  into  the  pulp  or  pith,  and  after  thus  wounding 
it  replaced  the  section  which  had  been  removed. 
This  done,  he  leaned  the  trunk  against  a  tree  that  it 
might  stand  upright,  and  treated  the  others  in  the 
same  manner. 

Nearly  an  hour  was  thus  occupied,  and  when  the 
task  was  completed  he  cut  a  small,  hollow  reed,  plac- 
ing one  end  in  the  aperture  first  made,  and  motioned 
for  Roy  to  drink. 

To  the  latter's  great  surprise  he  drew  in  a  mouth- 
ful of  a  rich  but  rather  sharp-flavored  liquid,  sweet, 
delicious  and  decidedly  invigorating. 

"  Why,  it's  the  best  drink  I  ever  tasted !  I  believe 
it  would  be  possible  to  empty  all  those  reservoirs  if 
a  fellow  was  thirsty." 

"  You  can  drink  it,  and  to-morrow  there  will  be 


HO  THE 

just  as  much  there  again.  Each  day  more  flows, 
therefore  it  is  not  necessary  to  save  any.  Should 
we  take  none  out  it  soon  ferments,  and  in  two  weeks 
the  cheechee  is  made,  when  a  very  little  makes  a 
man  drunk." 

"  We'll  take  it  this  way,"  Koy  cried,  delightedly, 
"and  be  mighty  glad  of  the  chance.  Now  let's 
carry  Dean  some,  for  the  poor  fellow  must  be  thirsty 
again  by  this  time." 

The  invalid  had  just  awakened  when  the  boys 
reached  the  hut,  and  the  eagerness  with  which  he 
drank  the  palm-juice  pleased  his  companions  hugely. 

"  It  seems  as  if  the  fever  was  driven  away  by  it," 
he  said,  after  exhausting  two  of  the  natural  vessels. 
"Will  there  be  any  harm  if  I  drink  a  great  deal?" 

"  Have  all  you  want ;  it  will  do  you  good  ;  but  in 
the  morning  we  shall  give  you  what  is  not  so  nice  " 
And  Tongla  turned  away  to  begin  the  work  of  brew- 
ing the  cinchona. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  Hi 


CHAPTEK  XII. 

THROUGH    THE    FOREST. 

W HEIST  DEAN'S  thirst  had  been  satisfied,  and 
Roy  had  gone  back  to  the  river's  bank  to  re- 
sume the  weary  work  of  watching,  Tongla  set  about 
his  medicine-making  with  the  utmost  deliberation. 

He  first  dug  with  his  machete  a  deep  hole  in  the 
ground  where  the  hut  would  serve  to  hide  from  the 
river  any  blaze,  and  then  filled  it  with  dry  wood. 
Across  the  top  he  placed  two  stout  branches,  such  as 
would  not  be  burned  quickly,  as  supports  for  the 
chocolate-pot.  In  this  latter  utensil  he  placed  the 
bark  previously  gathered,  and  covered  it  with 
water. 

Dean  had  been  watching  the  maneuvers  intently, 
and  when  Tongla  ceased,  as  if  the  task  were  accom- 
plished, he  asked : 

"  Is  that  all  you're  going  to  do  T 

"  When  it  is  so  dark  that  the  smoke  cannot  be 
seen  I  will  start  the  fire." 

"  But  the  flames  can  be  seen." 

"  I  will  not  allow  them  to  come  above  the  top  of 
the  hole,  and  we  can  also  screen  them  with  our  bod- 
ies It  is  not  necessary  the  fire  should  be  very  great, 
as  we  do  not  care  to  have  the  water  boil." 


112  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

As  if  it  pained  him  to  remain  idle,  Tongla  darted 
into  the  forest  when  he  ceased  speaking,  and  did  not 
return  until  the  shadows  of  night  were  beginning 
to  gather. 

Eoy  had  just  come  to  the  hut  in  response  to  his 
brother's  cry  for  more  of  the  palm-juice,  and  glanc- 
ing at  the  long  strips  of  bark  which  Tongla  had  in 
his  arms,  he  asked  : 

"What  are  you  going  to  do  with  that?  Make 
more  drink  for  Dean  ?" 

"  It  is  from  the  mohoe-tree,  and  with  it  I  shall 
weave  hats  for  us  all,  as  well  as  cords  with  which  to 
carry  the  loads  more  easily.  When  one's  fingers 
are  occupied  the  eyes  will  remain  open  longer." 

"Do  you  think  we  ought  to  stand  watch  to- 
night?" 

u  It  would  not  be  safe  to  sleep  while  so  many  are 
hunting  for  us.  One  hour  in  the  hammock  will 
be  enough  for  me." 

"  I  shall  do  my  full  share,"  Eoy  replied,  "  and  will 
begin  by  sitting  up  until  midnight,  when  you  can 
finish  the  job." 

"  After  I  am  rested  you  can  go  to  bed,"  Tongla 
said,  as  if  determined  not  to  sleep  half  the  night ; 
and  Koy  made  no  reply,  for  he  intended  the  matter 
should  be  carried  out  as  he  had  arranged. 

It  was  now  time  to  begin  brewing  the  medicine ; 
and  running  to  the  river-bank  once  more,  to  satisfy 
himself  there  was  no  one  in  sight,  Tongla  lighted 
the  fire.  By  the  use  of  a  branch,  which  he  wet 
from  time  to  time,  it  was  not  difficult  to  keep  the 
flames  below  the  edge  of  the  excavation,  and  one 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  113 

might  have  passed  within  twenty  yards  of  the  en- 
campment without  knowing  any  human  being  was 
near. 

The  wood  was  not  replenished.  When  it  had 
burned  to  coals  the  Indian  boy  removed  the  sup- 
ports and  placed  the  pot  on  the  embers,  saying,  as 
he  did  so : 

"  It  will  cook  there  before  morning,  and  to-mor- 
row night  we  can  build  another  fire  to  roast  some 
meat,  for  the  tortillas  are  nearly  gone." 

"I  would  like  almost  anything  in  the  way  of 
game  just  now,"  Roy  said  with  a  grimace.  "  A  diet  of 
corn,  no  matter  how  it  is  prepared,  gets  monotonous 
after  awhile,  and  much  as  I  dislike  those  little  beans 
they  call  frijoles,  I  could  eat  a  quart  of  them  for  the 
sake  of  a  change." 

"When  we  are  away  from  the  river  it  will  be 
possible  to  have  plenty." 

"  Unless  the  Woolwas  object  to  our  traveling 
across  their  country,"  Roy  replied,  as  he  took  one  of 
the  despised  tortillas  and  went  slowly  to  stand  his 
portion  of  the  watch. 

Dean  slept  peacefully.  Tongla  clambered  into 
his  hammock,  and  was  soon  in  the  same  state  of 
blissful  unconsciousness,  while  Roy  paced  to  and  fro, 
listening  for  sounds  of  the  enemy's  approach,  since 
it  was  too  dark  to  permit  of  so  much  as  a  glimpse 
of  the  river. 

"  It  isn't  very  jolly  out  here  in  the  thick  dark- 
ness," he  said  to  himself ;  "  but  we  can  thank  our 
lucky  stars  that  this  trouble  occurred  while  the 
moon  was  in  the  last  quarter.  If  she  had  been  full 


114  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

yesterday  there  is  little  chance  we  should  have  es- 
caped from  those  villains." 

He  was  beginning  to  learn,  as  so  many  have  done 
before  him,  that  even  in  the  most  dangerous  situa- 
tions one  can  always  find  something  for  which  to  be 
thankful. 

Whatever  Tongla  may  have  intended  to  do,  he 
certainly  did  not  prevent  Eoy  from  standing  his  full 
half  of  the  watch.  When  midnight  came  the  In- 
dian was  still  sleeping,  and  the  sentinel  aroused  him 
with  the  words : 

"It  is  time  you  turned  out,  and  I'll  try  my 
chance  at  snoring." 

"  Is  it  twelve  o'clock  so  soon  ?"  Tongla  asked,  in 
surprise,  as  he  leaped  to  the  ground. 

"  Indeed  it  is ;  and  I'm  mighty  glad,  for  things  are 
riot  very  lively  out  there." 

"  I  am  a  fool !  It  was  my  place  to  do  the  watch- 
ing, and  I  did  not  intend  to  sleep  more  than  an 
hour." 

"  It  is  only  fair  to  divide  the  work,"  Eoy  replied 
as  he  clambered  into  the  hammock  ;  and  the  last  he 
saw  of  Tongla  for  some  time  was  when  the  boy 
dragged  the  long  strips  of  bark  from  the  hut. 

The  day  had  fully  dawned  when  he  next  opened 
his  eyes,  and  the  odor  of  roast  fish  caused  him,  to 
look  around  in  astonishment. 

Dean  was  already  up,  and  bore  tokens  of  having 
made  a  toilet  in  the  river.  He  seemed  to  be  thor- 
oughly refreshed,  and  his  brother  gazed  in  vain  for 
any  signs  of  sickness. 

"  I'm  feeling  all  right  now,"  he  said,  laughingly ; 


TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  115 

"  but  Tongla  tells  me  the  chill  will  come  again  to- 
morrow. Say,  Roy,  did  you  ever  eat  aloes  ?" 

"  Of  course  not.     Why  ask  such  a  question  ?" 

"  Because  if  you  had  it  would  be  possible  to  have  a 
faint  idea  of  what  that  tea  is  like.  I  was  obliged  to 
take  a  big  dose,  and  it  doesn't  seem  possible  that  I 
shall  ever  be  able  to  get  the  terrible  taste  out  of  my 
mouth." 

"  No  matter  about  that  if  the  stuff  cures  you." 

"  It  must  be  a  case  of  kill  or  cure,  then ;"  and 
Dean  laughed  so  heartily  that  Eoy  no  longer  felt 
any  anxiety  concerning  his  health. 

"  Where  did  that  fish  come  from,  and  how  does  it 
happen  to  be  roasted  ?  I  thought  it  was  supposed  to 
be  dangerous  to  build  a  fire  ?" 

"  Tongla  speared  it  with  one  of  the  poles  we  used 
on  the  raft.  When  I  turned  out  he  was  putting  a 
sharp  point  on  it,  and  in  less  than  five  minutes  he 
had  this  fellow.  It  was  barely  daylight,  so  we  came 
back  here,  dug  the  hole  in  which  the  cinchona  was 
brewed  a  little  deeper,  kept  the  flames  down  as  you 
did,  and  roasted  him.  How  does  that  strike  you  for 
breakfast  instead  of  tortillas  ?" 

"  I'll  show  y^ou  after  my  face  is  washed ;"  and  Eoy 
ran  to  where  the  river  had  eaten  its  way  into  the 
bank,  thus  forming  a  concealed  bath-tub. 

Ten  minutes  later  the  fugitives  were  eating  a 
breakfast  such  as  none  could  have  found  fault  with. 
A  small  supply  of  salt  and  pepper  had  been  brought 
from  the  hacienda,  and  with  these  condiments  the 
fish  was  as  palatable  as  if  it  had  been  prepared  by 
the  most  expert  cook. 


116  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  It  was  dangerous  to  build  a  fire,"  the  Indian  boy 
said  while  they  were  enjoying  what  seemed  like  a 
veritable  feast,  "but  you  were  on  such  bad  terms 
with  the  tortillas  that  I  thought  we  might  take  the 
chances." 

"  This  will  reconcile  us  to  maize  in  any  form  until 
we  are  where  a  fire  can  be  built  with  safety,"  Eoy 
replied,  laughingly.  "  I'll  eat  tortillas  for  the  next 
two  days  without  a  murmur." 

"After  to-night  there  will  be  none  left,  and  we 
shall  be  fortunate  if  we  get  any  more  this  side  of  the 
range." 

This  intimation  that  the  stock  of  provisions  was 
running  low  caused  all  of  Koy's  mirth  to  disappear, 
and  he  asked,  gravely  : 

"  Was  everything  quiet  after  I  came  to  bed  ?" 

"  I  heard  nothing ;  but  it  is  likely  the  men  in  the 
canoe  will  come  back  some  time  before  to-morrow 
night,  and  I  think  we  had  better  leave  this  camp. 
Dean  feels  well  now ;  but  in  twenty-four  hours  he 
will  be  sick  again,  and  unless  we  start  it  will  be  im- 
possible to  move  until  after  the  followers  of  Kabul 
are  close  upon  us." 

"  Do  you  think  you  could  stand  a  long  tramp  ?" 
Hoy  asked  his  brother. 

"  We  shall  not  travel  far  on  this  first  day,"  Ton- 
gla  interrupted.  "  Three  hours  in  the  morning,  and 
as  many  after  the  siesta." 

"  I  can  hold  out  as  long  as  you  can,"  Dean  said, 
decidedly.  "  If  we  are  to  go,  let's  start  while  it  is 
cool." 

Tongla  had  already  packed  the  belongings,  which 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  117 

were  decreasing  each  day.  With  ropes  twisted 
from  the  mohoe-bark  he  made  two  sacks  with  bands 
to  pass  around  the  forehead,  after  the  fashion  of  his 
own  people  when  they  carry  heavy  burdens,  and  in 
these  everything,  including  the  idols,  was  placed. 

"Where's  my  load  ?"  Dean  asked  when  the  Indian 
took  up  one  of  the  sacks,  four  of  the  palm-trunks, 
and  motioned  Eoy  to  attend  to  the  remainder. 

"It  is  not  well  that  you  should  have  any.  To 
carry  the  guns  and  chocolate-pot  will  be  enough 
until  the  fever  has  left  you,"  Tongla  replied,  raising 
his  burden  as  if  to  intimate  that  they  should  be  off 
without  further  delay. 

Dean  understood  that  it  would  be  useless  to  make 
a  protest,  and,  in  fact,  he  did  not  really  feel  as  if  he 
could  perform  any  very  severe  labor  because  of  the 
great  lassitude  which  already  threatened  to  over- 
power him. 

No  attempt  was  made  to  destroy  the  camp.  It 
would  have  been  impossible  to  cover  all  traces  of 
their  presence  there,  therefore  nothing  could  be  ef- 
fected had  every  timber  been  carried  away. 

It  could  readily  be  seen  that  Tongla  was  by  no 
means  confident  of  his  own  ability  to  lead  them  in  a 
direct  line  through  this  dense  forest.  He  insisted 
that  Dean  should  walk  not  nearer  than  ten  paces  be- 
hind him,  while  Roy  was  to  remain  the  same  distance 
in  the  rear  of  his  brother. 

"  If  it  appears  that  I  move  to  the  right  or  the 
left,  shout,"  he  said,  "  for  there  must  be  no  chance 
of  our  turning  ever  so  slightly.  The  Si^uia  Eiver  is 
straight  ahead,  and  the  distance  so  far  that  we  can- 


118  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

not  afford  to  make  it  any  greater  by  going  out  of 
the  true  course." 

"  He's  afraid  of  getting  lost,"  Koy  said  to  himself, 
"  and  that  shows  how  much  show  either  Dean  or  I 
would  have  if  by  any  means  the  party  should  get 
separated." 

Tongla  did  not  intend  that  such  an  accident  should 
happen  if  he  could  prevent  it  by  excessive  cautious- 
ness. He  advanced  slowly,  stopping  from  time  to 
time  to  look  first  in  the  rear  and  then  ahead,  while 
more  than  once  he  blazed  a  tree  with  his  machete  as 
additional  aid  in  keeping  a  true  course. 

Quite  naturally  the  progress,  under  such  circum- 
stances, was  very  slow,  and  when  the  leader  came  to 
a  halt  at  the  end  of  about  three  hours'  travel,  no  one 
believed  they  were  more  than  five  miles  from  the  river. 

It  was  quite  time,  however,  that  Dean  be  allowed 
to  rest.  The  expression  on  his  face  gave  proof  oi 
extreme  weariness,  even  though  he  insisted  he  was 
able  to  continue  the  pace  all  day,  and  Tongla's  first 
care  was  to  see  that  he  took  a  copious  draught  of 
cinchona. 

Dean  made  a  very  wry  face  over  the  dose,  but  he 
swallowed  it  without  hesitation ;  and  when  it  was 
down  the  Indian  boy  said,  much  as  if  proposing  a 
reward  for  obedience  : 

"  Now  I  will  go  in  search  of  game.  There  can  be 
no  danger  in  building  a  fire  here,  and  we  will  have 
another  feast,  that  the  tortillas  may  be  saved  awhile 
longer." 

Armed  only  with  his  bow  and  arrow  Tongla  set  out, 
leaving  to  Koy  the  work  of  slinging  the  hammocks, 


TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  119 

after  which  he  and  Dean  stretched  themselves  on 
the  network  of  ropes  with  the  pleasing  conscious- 
ness that  they  were  at  least  in  no  danger  of  being 
disturbed  by  the  Sukia  woman's  messengers. 

Dean  was  tired,  not  sick,  and  he  and  Eoy  discussed 
the  chances  of  reaching  home  by  way  of  the  sea- 
coast,  which  now  seemed  very  good  since  they  had 
put  so  much  distance  between  themselves  and  the 
enemy. 

Eoy  repeated  what  Tongla  had  said  regarding 
the  probable  treatment  they  might  expect  from  the 
Woolwas,  and  Dean  announced  as  his  conviction 
that  the  journey  would  not  only  be  made  in  safety, 
but  the  time  prove  less  than  was  anticipated. 

"  Perhaps  father  and  mother  won't  reach  the 
plantation  as  soon  as  we  expected,  and  we  shall  be 
home  before  they  do  much  worrying.  Once  at 
Greytown  we  can  easily  hire  a  bongo  and  crew  to 
carry  us  up  to  the  lake  by  promising  to  pay  imme- 
diately after  we  arrive." 

"  There'll  be  no  difficulty  about  that  portion  of  it," 
Eoy  replied,  with  a  smile ;  "  but  just  now  I  would 
like  to  know  where  Tongla  is.  It  must  be  an  hour 
since  he  left,  and  the  game  is  so  plenty  that  he 
wouldn't  have  to  do  much  hunting." 

"  I  reckon  he's  after  an  armadillo.  You  know  he 
said  we  should  have  one." 

Eoy  was  by  no  means  satisfied  with  this  supposi- 
tion, but  he  did  not  think  it  well  to  arouse  Dean's 
suspicions ;  therefore  he  changed  the  conversation 
by  speaking  once  more  of  the  Indians  through  whoso 
country  they  must  pass, 


120  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Another  hour  elapsed.  Dean  fell  asleep,  and 
Roy's  anxiety  increased.  He  listened  intently  for 
the  slightest  sound,  but  could  hear  nothing.  It  was 
the  time  of  the  siesta,  and  all  nature  seemed  to  be  in 
a  state  of  repose. 

Dean  did  not  awaken  until  the  noonday  heat  gave 
place  to  cooler  evening ;  but  now  he  was  alone — even 
Eoy  had  disappeared. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  121 


CHAPTER   XIII. 

SUSPENSE. 

FOE  SEYEEAL  moments  after  he  awakened, 
Dean  felt  no  anxiety  because  neither  his 
brother  nor  Tongla  was  in  the  vicinity.  He  fan- 
cied they  were  making  preparations  for  the  night, 
and  were  close  at  hand  ;  therefore  he  paid  but  little 
attention  to  the  matter  until  half  an  hour  passed. 

Then,  hearing  no  sound  from  either,  he  sprung  to 
his  feet  in  alarm,  calling  them  loudly  by  name  as  he 
ran  to  and  fro,  taking  good  care,  however,  to  keep 
within  sight  of  the  halting-place. 

The  hum  of  insects,  the  twitter  of  birds  and  rus- 
tling of  the  leaves  was  the  only  reply. 

Terrified  and  bewildered,  he  leaned  against  a  tree 
to  collect  his  thoughts.  That  an  accident  had  hap- 
pened to  Tongla  there  could  be  little  doubt,  and  it 
was  reasonable  to  suppose  Eoy  had  set  out  to  find 
him ;  but  Dean  knew  his  brother  would  not  dare  to 
travel  very  far  from  the  camping-place.  The  danger 
of  being  lost  in  the  forest  was  too  great  to  warrant 
him  in  making  any  lengthy  excursion,  and  Dean 
could  arrive  at  no  satisfactory  conclusion  regarding 
his  absence. 

"  I  am  certain  he  wouldn't  have  gone  beyond 
sound  of  my  voice,"  he  said  to  himself ;  "  and  since 


122  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

he  does  not  answer,  it  must  be  that  the  Indians  have 
tracked  us  here.  Perhaps  both  the  boys  have  been 
made  prisoners  and  the  idol-worshipers  are  only 
waiting  an  opportunity  to  seize  me !" 

This  possibility  caused  him  to  look  around  for 
some  means  of  defending  himself.  One  of  the  fowl- 
ing-pieces yet  remained  where  it  had  been  placed 
when  the  halt  was  first  made,  thus  .showing  that 
Eoy  had  taken  the  other ;  and,  making  sure  the 
weapon  was  loaded,  Dean  stood  with  his  back 
against  a  tree  waiting  and  expecting  to  be  attacked. 

As  the  minutes  wore  on  and  neither  friend  nor 
enemy  appeared,  Dean's  fear  increased. 

"  The  Indians  will  wait  until  dark,  and  then  creep 
up  to  surround  me  so  that  there  can  be  no  chance  of 
my  making  any  defense.  Knowing  we  were  armed 
with  guns,  they  do  not  intend  to  expose  themselves." 

That  he  would  soon  be  captured,  or  pierced  with 
arrows  by  unseen  foes,  now  became  a  certainty  to 
Dean,  and  one  can  imagine  in  some  slight  degree 
the  mental  agony  which  he  suffered.  Although  the 
afternoon  was  cool  as  compared  to  the  previous  por- 
tion of  the  day,  the  perspiration  streamed  from  his 
face  as  it  never  had  done  even  while  traveling  under 
the  full  rays  of  the  sun,  and  from  time  to  time  he 
shook  as  if  the  ague  was  upon  him  again.  Each 
sixty  seconds  seemed  almost  like  an  hour,  and  the 
minutes  dragged  on  until  they  appeared  to  be  inter- 
minable. 

But  for  the  fact  that  the  sun  was  yet  illumining 
certain  portions  of  the  forest  with  tiny  shafts  of 
light  he  would  have  thought  it  was  midnight,  when 


TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  123 

a  faint  cry  from  far  away  in  the  distance  caused  the 
blood  to  bound  in  his  veins.  It  might  have  been  the 
call  of  a  bird ;  but  the  possibility  that  Koy  was  re- 
turning plunged  him  in  a  perfect  delirium.  With- 
out waiting  to  ascertain  if  it  really  was  a  human 
voice,  he  shouted  again  and  again  at  the  full  strength 
of  his  lungs,  pausing  not  to  listen  until  his  breath 
literally  failed  him. 

Then  he  waited  for  a  reply,  counting  the  seconds 
that  he  might  have  some  idea  of  the  passage  of  time% 
and  as  he  whispered  "twenty"  the  night  wind 
bore  to  his  eager  ears  the  cry,  now  so  distinct  that 
there  could  be  no  doubt : 

"Hel-l-o!  Dean!" 

"  Roy !  Eoy !"  he  replied ;  and  then  understand- 
ing that  his  brother  was  shaping  a  course  by  aid  of 
his  voice,  he  continued  to  call  until  the  crashing  of 
bushes  near  by  told  that  one  of  the  missing  boys 
had  returned. 

"Where  have  you  been?"  Dean  cried,  as  he 
clasped  Koy  in  his  arms  as  if  to  assure  himself  there 
could  be  no  mistake. 

"  Lost  in  the  woods,  and  when  I  heard  you  shout 
was  about  to  start  off  in  another  direction.  I  went 
out  intending  to  go  only  so  far  as  I  could  keep  this 
place  in  sight,  but  before  many  minutes  got  com- 
pletely bewildered ;"  and  Roy  threw  himself  on  the 
ground  like  one  on  the  verge  of  exhaustion. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  tramping  around  ?" 

"  Two  or  three  hours,  I  should  judge." 

"  And  you  saw  no  signs  of  Tongla  ?" 

"  Not  a  thing.    He  also  must  have  lost  his  way, 


124  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

and  may  be  traveling  on  a  course  directly  opposite 
to  the  true  one,  unless  he  is  already  exhausted,  for 
he  has  been  absent  ever  since  we  halted." 

"  Do  you  think  there  is  any  chance  the  Indians 
from  the  ruins  have  caught  him  3  I  began  to  think 
they  had  both  of  you,  and  would  capture  or  kill  me 
when  it  was  dark  enough  to  permit  of  their  doing 
so  without  exposing  themselves." 

"That  cannot  have  happened,  otherwise  they 
would  certainly  have  made  me  prisoner  Avhile  I  was 
roaming  around.  He  has  lost  his  way,  and,  judging 
from  my  own  experience,  there  is  little  chance  of 
our  ever  seeing  him  again." 

u  And  if  that  is  ,the  case,  what  shall  we  do  ?"  Dean 
asked,  his  voice  trembling  with  fear. 

"  I  know  of  but  one  thing,  which  is  to  find  our 
way  back  to  the  river  again." 

"  That  would  be  to  fall  into  the  hands  of  the  In- 
dians who  are  hunting  us." 

"  It  is  certain  death  to  stay  here  in  the  forest. 
We  have  only  got  water  enough  to  last  until  morn- 
ing, and  must  move  by  daylight  whether  Tongla 
comes  or  not." 

Dean  could  make  no  reply.  At  the  very  time 
when  he  was  beginning  to  think  they  might  pos- 
sibly have  put  a  safe  distance  between  themselves 
and  the  enemy,  this  disaster,  which  promised  to  be 
the  last  of  many,  had  come  upon  them.  The  short- 
lived hope  fled,  leaving  in  its  place  a  dull  despair. 

No  one  surrenders  life,  however,  without  a  strug- 
gle ;  and  as  the  darkness  closed  in  while  they  stood 
under  the  gigantic  trees  in  silence,  he  asked : 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  125 

""What  are  we  to  do  from  now  until  morn- 
ing ?  There  may  be  jaguars  about,  and  the  ham- 
mocks won't  be  a  guard  against  them,  as  in  the  case 
of  the  warees." 

"  We'll  build  a  fire.  Matters  can't  be  made  much 
worse  than  they  now  are,  and  a  blaze  will  serve  to 
keep  the  beasts  away." 

"  But  if  the  Indians  are  near,  it  will  be  seen," 

"  We  may  as  well  meet  them  here  as  at  the  river," 
Hoy  replied,  moodily ;  and  then  he  began  gathering 
branches  and  twigs,  with  but  little  regard  to  the 
scorpions  or  snakes  which  might  be  beneath  the  de- 
caying wood.  He  was  in  that  frame  of  mind  when 
one  no  longer  thinks  it  worth  his  while  to  guard 
against  new  dangers. 

Hewing  down  with  his  machete  the  vines  and 
shrubs  a  short  distance  beyond  where  the  hammocks 
had  been  suspended,  he  soon  started  a  cheery  blaze, 
and  was  on  the  point  of  proposing  that  they  try  to 
eat  something  when  a  groan  from  Dean  told  that  he 
was  suffering  from  another  attack  of  chills  and  fever. 

"Get  into  the  hammock !"  he  cried,  all  his  fears 
for  the  future  being  forgotten  in  this  additional 
cause  for  anxiety. 

Dean  managed  to  throw  himself  on  the  swinging 
bed,  and  Hoy  forced  him  to  swallow  a  large  draught 
of  the  cinchona.  This  done,  he  covered  him  with 
everything  at  hand,  including  his  own  jacket,  and 
then  the  only  occupation  possible  was  to  keep  the 
fire  burning  and  wait  for  the  dawn  of  another  day, 
when  the  condition  of  affairs  could  hardly  be 
changed  for  the  better. 


126  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  If  Dean  is  sick  in  the  morning  we  can't  leave 
here,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  and  the  palm-juice  must 
serve  us  in  the  place  of  water." 

The  trunks  of  the  palm-trees  had  been  placed  in 
an  upright  position  near  the  hammocks,  and  he  now 
examined  them  to  make  sure  that  none  of  them 
were  overturned. 

Toward  midnight  the  chill  left  Dean  and  the 
fever  took  its  place,  when  the  sick  boy  called  at 
brief  intervals  for  a  cooling  drink. 

The  work  of  attending  to  him  and  keeping  the  fire 
burning  brightly  occupied  nearly  all  of  Koy's  time 
until  sunrise ;  and  this  was  a  great  relief,  since  it 
served  in  some  slight  degree  to  prevent  his  mind 
from  dwelling  on  their  forlorn  condition. 

When  the  morning  dawned  Dean  was  yet  so  ill 
that  it  was  with  difficulty  he  could  raise  his  head 
from  the  pillow  of  plantain-leaves  which  Koy  had 
placed  in  the  hammock,  and  the  question  of  chang- 
ing camp  was  settled  for  that  day  at  least. 

Now  he  no  longer  expected  to  see  Tongla  again, 
and  began  to  overhaul  the  baggage  with  a  view  of 
reducing  the  load  to  such  weight  that  he  might 
carry  everything.  The  golden  idols  must  perforce 
be  left  behind,  and  with  them  all  except  the  guns, 
hammocks,  chocolate  and  the  pot  of  cinchona. 

"  Although  it  isn't  likely  we  could  find  this  place 
again,  I'll  bury  the  idols,"  he  thought.  "  Those  In- 
dians sha'n't  get  hold  of  them  if  I  can  prevent 
it." 

Despite  his  troubles  hunger  began  to  assert  itself, 
and  when  Dean  refused  to  take  any  food  he  made  a 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  12? 

light  breakfast  of  tortillas,  eating  but  one,  although 
he  could  have  consumed  the  entire  lot  without  dis- 
comfort. 

Another  dose  of  the  bitter  mixture  was  given  to 
the  invalid ;  the  fire  was  allowed  to  die  out,  and  then 
Koy  had  before  him  another  dreary  time  of  waiting, 
broken  only  when  Dean  asked  for  a  draught  of  the 
refreshing  palm- juice. 

It  seemed  as  if  each  succeeding  hour  lengthened ; 
the  sounds  of  forest  life  irritated  him,  and  he  began 
to  ask  himself  if  it  would  not  be  safe  to  travel  a 
short  distance  after  the  evening  shadows  began  to 
gather,  in  case  Dean  felt  better,  when  the  sound  as 
of  some  heavy  body  forcing  its  way  through  the 
underbrush  caused  him  to  spring  to  his  feet. 

Cocking  the  gun,  he  stole  forward  cautiously, 
ready  to  fire  at  the  first  glimpse  of  what  he  sup- 
posed was  a  wild  beast,  when  Tongla  appeared  from 
among  the  foliage  and  fell  senseless  at  his  feet. 

Mingled  surprise  and  joy  prevented  Roy  from  so 
much  as  moving  for  several  seconds;  and  then 
throwing  aside  his  weapon,  he  dragged  the  lifeless 
boy  into  the  clearing. 

"  Tongla  has  come !"  he  shouted,  and  despite  the 
fever  which  had  such  a  firm  hold  upon  him,  Dean 
leaped  to  his  feet ;  but  he  also  fell  prostrate  before 
it  was  possible  to  advance  a  single  step. 

"  Come,  old  fellow,  this  won't  do,"  Roy  said  as  he 
left  the  Indian  for  a  moment  to  aid  his  brother  into 
the  hammock  again.  "  If  I'm  to  have  two  sick  fel- 
lows on  my  hands,  the  least  they  can  do  is  to  remain 
quiet,  and  not  go  tumbling  around  like  this." 


128  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  But  what  is  the  matter  with  Tongla  ?  He  looks 
as  if  he  were  dead." 

"  I  don't  know  what  ails  him,  unless  he's  got  a 
touch  of  your  fever.  I'll  lift  him  into  the  hammock 
and  give  him  some  water  ;  perhaps  that  will  bring 
him  to  his  senses." 

During  the  next  ten  minutes  Roy  had  quite  as 
much  work  on  hand  as  he  could  conveniently  per- 
form. After  raising  Tongla  from  the  ground  to  the 
bed  of  cords  he  put  the  half-filled  canteen  to  his 
lips,  and  the  boy  swallowed  the  entire  contents  be- 
fore opening  his  eyes.  Then  he  spoke  a  few  words 
in  his  native  language,  stared  around  as  if  surprised 
at  finding  himself  in  such  a  place,  and  laid  back  en- 
tirely •  exhausted. 

"He's  used  up;  that's  what's  the  matter,"  Roy 
said.  "  I  wouldn't  wonder  if  the  poor  fellow  had 
been  without  food  or  water  since  yesterday  morning. 
I'll  try  him  on  the  last  of  the  tortillas,  anyway." 

Still  appearing  oblivious  to  his  surroundings,  the 
Indian  boy  ate  ravenously,  and  not  until  the  last 
tortilla  had  disappeared  did  Roy  cease  feeding  him. 

"  That  settles  our  supply  of  food,  and  it  will  be  a 
fast-day  with  us  unless  I  can  manage  to  find  some 
game  close  around  the  camp." 

"  Never  mind,  so  long  as  he  is  with  us,"  Dean  said, 
cheerily.  "  An  hour  ago  we'd  been  willing  to  give' 
up  a  good  deal  more  than  the  food  for  the  sake  of 
seeing  him." 

"  Don't  think  I'm  worrying  about  what  he's  eat- 
ing. I'd  make  him  a  present  of  all  the  idols  if 
they'd  do  any  good.  He  appears  to  be  going  to 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  129 

sleep  now,  and  you'd  better  try  to  do  the  same  thing. 
I'll  sit  two  or  three  yards  away,  in  the  hope  of  shoot- 
ing something  eatable." 

"  Don't  go  beyond  the  sound  of  my  voice." 

"You  needn't  fear  that  I'll  run  the  chance  of  get- 
ting lost  again.  One  such  experience  is  more  than 
I  need.  It  was  terrible,  Dean,  to  wander  around 
without  the  slightest  idea  of  the  right  direction,  and 
seeing  what  looked  like  the  same  trees  over  and 
over  again,  no  matter  how  fast  or  far  I  walked. 
There  was  one  spell  when  it  seemed  as  if  I  was  in- 
sane, and  then  it  was  necessary  to  sit  down  until  I 
could  pull  myself  together.  In  a  forest  like  this 
there  is  nothing  to  guide  a  fellow,  and  the  sense  of 
utter  helplessness  is  something  which  cannot  be  de- 
scribed." 

"  Don't  talk  of  it,"  Dean  replied,  with  a  shiver. 
"We  may  all'  have  a  taste  before  we  strike  the 
river  Tongla  tells  about." 

"  If  we  are  together  it  can't  seem  so  terrible,  al- 
though I  don't  care  to  repeat  the  experience,  even 
with  others  to  keep  me  company." 

Then  Eoy  insisted  that  his  brother  should  drink 
more  of  the  cinchona ;  and  looking  earnestly  at  Ton- 
gla to  make  sure  he  was  not  in  a  swoon  but  sleeping 
peacefully,  he  went  a  short  distance  from  the  en- 
campment in  the  poor  hope  that  some  game  would 
be  accommodating  enough  to  come  within  range. 


130  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE  XIY. 

AN     INDIAN     VILLAGE. 

ROY  HAD  but  little  faith  that  any  game  would 
pass  within  shooting  distance;  therefore  he 
felt  quite  as  much  surprise  as  delight  when,  about 
an  hour  after  taking  up  his  position  at  the  foot  of  a 
tree,  four  agouti  come  from  the  bushes  fiardly  a 
dozen  feet  away. 

They  appeared  to  have  no  fear  of  him,  and  by 
using  his  gun  skillfully  and  rapidly  two  were  killed, 
at  the  expense  of  a  cartridge  from  each  barrel. 

"  That  is  a  pretty  high  price  to  pay  for  a  dinner, 
considering  the  fact  that  we  haven't  got  very  much 
ammunition  left,"  he  said,  as  he  picked  up  the  rab- 
bit-like animals  and  started  toward  the  encampment. 
"  I  ought  not  to  grumble,  though,  for  we'd  be  on 
mighty  short  allowance  if  they  hadn't  come  along." 

Dean  was  awake  when  Roy  approached,  but 
Tongla's  eyes  were  yet  closed.  The  reports  of  the 
gun  had  not  disturbed  him,  and  Dean  asked  : 

"  Can  you  cook  them  as  he  did  ?" 

"  I'm  going  to  try  it.  A  fellow  can  do  a  good 
deal  when  it's  a  case  of  must.  Besides,  I  want 
Tongla  to  sleep  as  long  as  possible." 

Since  there  was  no  particular  reason  why  he 
should  hurry,  Roy  set  about  the  task  in  a  leisurely 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  131 

fashion.  He  dug  a  hole  at  the  place  where  the 
camp-fire  had  been  built  on  the  previous  night,  filled 
it  with  wood  sufficient  to  make  a  large  bed  of  coals, 
and  while  this  was  burning  dressed  the  game. 

An  hour  later  the  roast  was  ready,  and  cooked 
quite  as  well  as  if  the  Indian  boy  had  superintended 
the  operation.  Hoy  awakened  Tongla  after  con- 
siderable difficulty,  and  Dean's  fever  was  so  nearly 
gone  that  he  seemed  eager  for  his  share  of  the  meat. 

"  Where  did  you  find  me  ?"  Tongla  asked,  as  he 
descended  from  the  hammock  and  approached  the 
plantain-leaf  table. 

"  Yon  came  here  without  assistance,"  Roy  replied, 
in  surprise.  "  Don't  you  remember  ?" 

"I  know  of  nothing  that  happened  after  being 
convinced  it  would  be  impossible  to  find  you  again." 

"When  was  that?" 

"When  the  sun  rose  this  morning,  and  I  could  not 
decide  in  which  direction  the  river  lay.  I  remem- 
ber running  with  all  speed,  thinking  to  meet  death 
while  still  struggling  to  escape  from  the  horrible 
gloom,  but  that  is  all." 

"  Then  without  being  conscious  of  the  fact  you 
must  have  come  directly  here,  and  I  saw  you  as  you 
fell.  I've  been  doing  the  hunting  to-day,  and  after 
eating  some  of  this  roast  you  can  tell  us  the  story." 

"  There  is  not  much  more  than  you  know,"  Tongla 
replied,  as  he  began  the  meal.  "  On  leaving  here  I 
wandered  around  a  long  while  without  seeing  any- 
thing which  would  serve  as  food,  and  on  trying  to 
retrace  my  steps,  learned  that  I  was  lost.  From 
that  moment  I  thought  of  nothing  save  finding  you. 


132  TffE  TREASURE 

Not  for  a  single  instant  did  I  rest  during  the  night, 
for  your  lives  as  well  as  my  own  depended  on  our 
being  together  once  more." 

"After  this  we  will  do  the  hunting  in  company 
or  go  without  food,"  Roy  replied  ;  and  then  he  gave 
his  undivided  attention  to  the  meat,  of  which  he 
stood  so  sadly  in  need. 

When  the  meal  was  finished  Dean,  who  had  eaten 
but  sparingly,  said : 

"  There  is  no  chance  that  I  shall  go  to  sleep  again 
very  soon,  therefore  both  of  you  must  lie  down 
while  I  stand  watch.  It  can  be  done  in  my  ham- 
mock, consequently  I  shall  feel  none  the  worse  for 
it." 

Tongla  insisted  that  he  was  completely  rested; 
but  Roy  was  determined  he  should  spend  the  re- 
mainder of  the  day  in  slumber,  and  the  boy  reluc- 
tantly returned  to  the  swinging  bed. 

"  Now  you  do  the  same,"  Dean  said,  and  after  a 
moment's  hesitation  the  command  was  obeyed. 

Roy  had  indulged  in  but  little  sleep  since  they 
left  the  ruins,  and  Tongla  was  yet  thoroughly 
weary,  therefore  these  two  slumbered  dreamlessly 
and  uninterruptedly  while  the  invalid  kept  watch 
from  his  couch. 

In  this  manner  the  entire  day  was  spent,  and  the 
gloom  of  night  had  enshrouded  the  forest  when 
Tongla  awoke. 

"  You  should  have  called  me  many  hours  ago,"  he 
said,  springing  from  the  hammock,  and  his  voice 
aroused  Roy. 

"You  looked  so  comfortable  that  I  enjoyed  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  133 

*  sight ;  and,  besides,  I'm  feeling  so  much  better  that 
there  is  no  reason  why  I  should  not  do  a  portion  of 
the  work.  Now  that  the  water  is  gone  I  begin  to 
dislike  the  palm-juice.  Don't  you  suppose  we  could 
get  a  drink  by  digging  a  deep  hole  ?" 

"  There  is  no  need  of  doing  that.  I  saw  the  rain- 
plant  near  by  when  we  halted,  and.  by  making  a 
torch  we  can  soon  find  it,"  Tongla  said,  as  he  groped 
around  for  dry  wood, 

"  The  rain-plant  ?"  Roy  repeated.  "  "What  do  you 
mean  ?" 

Tongla  waited  until  he  had  made  and  lighted  a 
torch,  when  he  said  : 

".Come ;  I  will  show  you." 

The  boys  were  too  curious  to  reject  the  invitation, 
and  followed  their  companion  a  short  distance  away, 
where  was  a  dense  mass  of  vines  depending  from  the 
trees. 

"  There !"  be  said,  pointing  to  the  fork  or  crotch 
of  a  logwood,  where,  apparently  growing  in  the 
solid  trunk,  was  a  parasitic  plant,  with  broad  leaves 
which  curled  around  until  a  vessel  somewhat  after 
the  shape  of  a  "  horn  of  plenty  "  was  formed.  "  In 
each  of  those  we  shall  find  water  enough  to  keep  us 
from  thirst  until  morning." 

With  a  little  assistance  from  Roy  the  Indian 
climbed  up  the  trunk,  and  cutting  one  of  these — 
Nature's  goblets — passed  it  down  to  Dean,  who 
found  in  it  fully  a  quart  of  clear  water. 

"Why,  it's  almost  as  good,  although  not  quite  as 
cold,  as  that  which  we  had  in  the  tunnel!"  Dean  ex- 
claimed, in  surprise. 


134  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  It  is  the  rain  and  dew  which  the  leaf  collects  for 
him  who  travels  through  the  forest.  The  God  of  the 
Working-Hand  placed  it  there  that  the  Indian  might 
not  perish  when  the  white  men  drove  him  from  his 
home.  We  will  not  take  any  more  than  we  need, 
for  others  may  pass  this  way  thirsty." 

Tongla  handed  one  more  leaf  to  Koy,  and  then 
descended,  having  satisfied  his  own  wants  by  drink- 
ing from  one  vessel  without  cutting  it  from  the  stem. 

On  returning  to  the  hammocks  Roy  explained 
that  he  had  kept  a  fire  going  during  the  night  Ton- 
gla was  absent,  and  proposed  that  the  same  plan  be 
pursued  now. 

The  Indian  readily  agreed,  since  the  light  of  the 
flames  could  not  be  seen  a  dozen  yards  owing  to  the 
density  of  the  foliage ;  and  soon  the  boys  were  sit- 
ting in  front  of  a  cheery  blaze  discussing  the  work 
of  the  next  day. 

Roy  and  Tongla  divided  the  watching  on  this 
night,  it  not  being  thought  advisable  to  let  Dean  do 
any  portion  of  it  until  he  was  stronger,  and  when 
the  sun  rose  once  more  nothing  had  been  seen  or 
heard  to  cause  alarm. 

This  was  the  day  when  the^victim  of  chills  and 
fever  should  feel  comparatively  well,  although  it 
was  expected  the  illness  would  return  twenty-four 
hours  later,  and  when  the  remnants  of  the  agouti 
had  been  eaten  by  way  of  breakfast,  Tongla  pro- 
posed that  the  journey  be  continued. 

"  We  have  many  leagues  before  us,"  he  said,  "  and 
unless  each  day  sees  some  advance  we  shall  be  a  very 
long  time  on  the  road."- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  135 

Dean  declared  that  he  felt  able  to  perform  as 
much  labor  as  any  other  member  of  the  party,  and 
in  a  few  moments  everything  was  in  readiness  for 
the  tramp.  As  before,  Boy  and  Tongla  insisted  on 
carrying  all  the  burden ;  but  the  palm-trunks  were 
left  behind,  because  there  were  plenty  more  to  be 
found  and  the  juice  was  beginning  to  ferment. 

Now,  with  the  memory  of  his  sufferings  fresh  in 
mind,  the  Indian  proceeded  more  cautiously  than  be- 
fore, to  prevent  any  possibility  of  traveling  in  a  cir- 
cle, and  the  advance  was  necessarily  slow ;  but  when 
they  came  to  a  halt  at  about  ten  o'clock-  it  was  be- 
lieved not  less  than  five  miles  had  been  traversed. 

"  We  should  be  at  least  ten  miles  from  the  river, 
providing  we  have  traveled  in  a  straight  line,"  Eoy 
said  as  he  threw  himself  upon  one  of  the  hammocks, 
after  they  had  been  slung  and  the  foliage  beaten 
down.  "  That  is  surely  far  enough  to  make  it  cer- 
tain we  are  well  clear  of  the  Sukia's  messengers,  and 
we  have  nothing  to  fear  from  them  until  we  strike 
the  range  again." 

"And  that  we  shall  not  do  unless  the  Wool  was 
drive  us  from  their  country,"  Tongla  replied,  decid- 
edly. "  Now  I  will  hunt  for  our  dinner." 

"  We'll  all  go  with  you  ;"  and  Koy  sprung  to  his 
feet.  "  The  last  time  you  tried  that  job  we  didn't 
see  you  for  twenty-four  hours,  and  it  sha'n't  happen 
again." 

"  I  am  only  going  to  that  plantain-tree ;"  and  the 
Indian  pointed  a  short  distance  away.  "  You  need 
not  fear  that  I  shall  get  in  the  same  trouble  twice. 
If  we  have  meat  to-night,  that  will  be  enough." 


136  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

The  atmosphere  was  so  hot  that  a  dinner  of  fruit 
satisfied  every  desire,  and  when  it  had  been  eaten 
all  hands  composed  themselves  for  a  long  siesta, 
since  there  did  not  appear  to  be  any  good  reason 
why  a  watch  should  be  kept  when  they  were  so  far 
from  the  followers  of  Kabul. 

At  about  four  o'clock  Tongla  aroused  the  boys, 
measured  out  a  dose  of  cinchona  for  Dean,  and  pro- 
posed that  the  journey  be  continued.  Refreshed  by 
the  long  nap  the  others  were  willing,  and  again  the 
little  party  forced  their  way  through  the  rank  vege- 
tation toward  the  Siguia  River. 

One  does  not  indulge  in  much  conversation  while 
traveling  heavily  laden  where  progress  is  made  only 
after  a  severe  struggle  with  vines  and  bushes,  and 
from  the  time  of  starting  until  shortly  before  sunset 
not  a  word  was  exchanged. 

Then  Tongla  came  to  a  full  halt  as  he  motioned 
for  his  companions  to  remain  silent,  while  he  peered 
through  the  undergrowth  with  every  evidence  of 
uneasiness. 

The  white  boys  stood  like  statues  until  the  In- 
dian, stepping  back  a  few  paces,,  whispered,  as  he 
pointed  straight  ahead : 

"There  is  a  Woolwa  village.  It  is  too  late  to 
make  our  way  around  it  before  dark,  and  1  do  not 
dare  stay  here  until  morning." 

Full  of  curiosity,  Roy  and  Dean  pressed  forward 
to  where  Tongla  had  been  standing,  and  saw,  instead 
of  a  collection  of  huts,  as  would  have  been  inferred 
from  their  companion's  words,  a  single  building 
about  a  hundred  feet  long  and  twenty  wide.  The 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  137 

roof  was  upheld  by  stout  posts,  and  thatched  with 
leaves ;  the  front  and  ends  were  open,  while  at  the 
back  were  a  series  of  little  rooms  which  looked  very 
much  like  stalls  in  a  stable.  The  floor  appeared  to 
be  formed  of  stone,  and  raised  six  inches  or  more 
above  the  earth. 

In  this  odd  "village"  could  be  seen  half  a  hun- 
dred men,  women  and  children,  some  working,  others 
playing,  and  the  majority  swinging  in  hammocks 
suspended  from  the  roof.  They  did  not  seem  to  be 
a  very  ferocious  party,  and  Eoy  whispered  to  Ton- 
gla: 

"  Are  you  certain  they  would  do  any  mischief  if 
we  showed  ourselves  ?" 

"  They  are  the  enemies  of  my  people." 

"  Of  course  you  know  best ;  but  if  we  must  stay 
in  this  portion  of  the  country  any  length  of  time,  it 
strikes  me  it  would  be  a  good  idea  to  make  friends 
with  them." 

Tongla  did  not  reply  for  some  moments,  but  stood 
as  if  buried  in  deep  thought,  while  Eoy  gazed  up 
and  down  the  narrow  stream  which  ran  between 
them  and  the  building,  to  discover  some  way  of 
crossing  it  without  swimming. 

While  he  was  thus  engaged  a  number  of  women 
came  out  with  what  appeared  to  be  earthen  jars, 
and  walked  directly  to  the  middle,  where  they  filled 
the  vessels  with  water.  Eoy  could  see  that  they 
stepped  on  a  long  row  of  stones,  which  evidently 
led  entirely  across ;  therefore  he  was  satisfied  there 
Avould  be  no  trouble  in  gaining  the  village  if  a  visit 
should  be  decided  upon. 


138  THE  TREASUHE-FINDERS. 

At  this  juncture  Dean  asked  what  his  brother  had 
been  saying  to  Tongla,  and  on  being  informed,  at 
once  declared  his  belief  in  the  advisability  of  trying 
to  make  terms  with  the  tribe. 

"  We  shall  be  obliged  to  pass  more  than  one  town 
like  this  before  reaching  the  coast,  and  it  is  well 
to  know  now  what  may  be  expected.  With  our 
guns  we  can  hold  the  whole  crowd  in  check,  if  they 
turn  ugly ;  but  I  am  sure  it  will  be  all  right  when 
Tongla  tells  them  that  we  are  running  away  from 
their  enemies." 

"  I  will  visit  them,"  the  Indian  said,  at  length ; 
"but  they  must  not  know  you  are  here  until 
I  have  learned  whether  it  is  safe  for  all  to  proceed." 

To  this  plan  Eoy  objected  most  strenuously. 

"  If  you  go  alone,  and  they  are  disposed  to  do  any 
harm,  we  shall  not  be  there  to  aid  you ;  while  if  all 
march  over,  the  sight  of  our  guns  may  force  them 
to  be  at  least  civil." 

"I  must  cross  alone,"  Tongla  said,  decidedly; 
"  but  I  will  remain  near  the  stream,  and  if  they 
threaten,  you  can  discharge  the  guns.  Then  they 
will  not  know  but  that  there  is  a  large  force  con- 
cealed in  the  thicket." 

"  The  matter  looks  different  when  you  put  it  that 
way,  and  I  won't  say  any  more.  Go  ahead  ;  Dean 
and  I  will  stand  ready  in  case  there  is  any  trouble  ; 
but  don't  let  them  entice  you  up  to  the  building  un- 
til there  can  be  no  doubt  about  their  honesty." 

"  I  will  be  careful,"  Tongla  said,  and  laying  down 
everything,  he  went  out  in  full  view  of  those  in  the 
village  with  not  so  much  as  a  stick  in  his  hands. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


139 


The  white  boys  watched  from  the  thicket  ;  saw 
him  cross  the  stream  and  halt  on  the  bank,  as  the 
dwellers  from  the  long  building  came  toward  him 
in  a  perfect  throng,  and  then  he  was  hidden  from 
view  by  press  of  numbers. 


HO  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE  XY. 

SUSPICIONS. 

IT  "WAS  fully  five  minutes  before  the  boys  in  the 
thicket  could  see  Tongla,  because  of  the  crowd 
which  pressed  around  him,  and  more  than  once  did 
Dean  insist  that  it  was  their  duty  to  show*  them- 
selves. 

"  They  may  have  killed  him  by  this  time,  for  all 
we  know,"  he  said  anxiously.  "  If  nothing  has  hap 
pened  he  would  stand  where  we  could  see  him." 

"  You  may  be  certain  he'd  manage,  in  some  way, 
to  let  us  understand  if  matters  were  going  wrong," 
Koy  replied.  "  A  single  scream  would  be  enough." 

"  Perhaps  they  have  taken  good  care  to  prevent 
anything  like  that." 

"It  isn't  reasonable  to  suppose  such  a  state  of 
affairs.  They  seem  to  be  friendly,  and  if  he  is  go- 
ing into  details  regarding  our  trouble  at  the  ruins 
it  will  require  a  long  while." 

Five  minutes  more  elapsed,  and  then  the  watch- 
ers' fears  were  dispelled  by  seeing  Tongla  step  from 
amid  the  throng  as  he  pointed  in  the  direction  where 
the  boys  were  concealed. 

"  It's  all  right,"  Roy  added,  in  a  tone  of  relief. 
<rN"ow  he's  telling  them  about  us,  and  it  won't  be 
long  before  the  matter  is  settled." 


THE  TREA  S  URE-FINDERS.  141 

Almost  immediately  after  Hoy  ceased  speaking 
Tongla  began  to  cross  the  stream,  followed  by  two 
old  men,  and  the  boys  stepped  from  out  the  thicket 
to  meet  them. 

As  they  came  into  view  the  crowd  on  the  opposite 
shore  began  to  shout  and  gesticulate  in  the  most 
friendly  manner,  and  Dean  whispered : 

"  We  had  better  lay  down  our  guns  to  show  that 
we  have  no  idea  of  fighting." 

Roy  followed  his  brother's  example  by  dropping 
his  weapon  and  standing  with  outstretched  hands 
as  Tongla  and  his  companions  came  up  the  slight 
elevation. 

Before  the  Indian  boy  could  speak,  even  had  he 
been  intending  to  do  so,  the  old  men  saluted  Eoy 
and  Dean  by  placing  their  open  hands  on  the  latters' 
heads,  and  then  turned  to  descend  the  slope,  utter 
ing  at  the  same  time  a  single  word. 

"  Follow,"  Tongla  said,  in  a  low  tone,  as  he  lifted 
one  of  the  sacks,  and  the  boys  waited  only  long 
enough  to  gather  up  the  remainder  of  the  property 
before  obeying. 

The  crowd  on  the  bank  of  the  stream  gave  way  as 
the  party  approached,  and  amid  a  silence  which 
seemed  almost  ominous  the  visitors  were  escorted  to 
the  house,  one  of  the  stall-like  apartments  being 
pointed  out  as  their  quarters. 

This  being  done  the  old  men  left  them,  and,  save 
for  the  throng  of  curious  children  \vhich  stood  a 
longdistance  away,  the  fugitives  were  comparatively 
alone. 

"  I  call  this  a  lucky  hit !"  Dean  exclaimed,  as  he 


142  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

proceeded  to  unpack  the  sacks  of  twine  that  the 
hammocks  might  be  slung  before  dark.  "  What  did 
they  say  to  you,  Tongla?" 

"  I  told  the  story,  except  in  regard  to  the  idols, 
and  the  people  acted  as  if  glad  of  the  chance  to  help 
us  escape.  The  head  man  said  we  should  stay  here 
until  they  were  ready  to  go  down  the  river,  which 
would  be  in  a  few  days,  and  travel  with  them." 

"  It  begins  to  look  as  if  our  finally  reaching  home 
was  a  settled  fact,  for  once  at  Bluefields  there  will 
be  no  further  trouble,"  Eoy  added,  in  a  tone  of 
delight.  "  We  can  very  well  afford  to  stay  a  week, 
if  necessary,  and  perhaps  by  that  time  Dean  will 
have  got  rid  of  his  fever  and  ague." 

Tongla  did  not  display  as  much  joy  as  his  com- 
panions ;  he  was  grave  while  they  were  radiant,  and 
noticing  this,  Dean  asked : 

"What  is  the  matteH    Don't  things  suit  you?" 

"They  should,"  was  the  evasive  reply.  "I  am 
thinking  that  we  must  be  careful  to  keep  the  figures 
of  the  gods  concealed." 

"  Why  ?     These  people  do  not  worship  them." 

"  I  am  not  certain ;  but  they  are  of  gold,  and  it  is 
not  well  to  let  it  be  known  we  have  so  much  treas- 
ure. If  we  remain  long  they  must  be  hidden,  or 
one  of  us  keep  a  watch  both  night  and  day." 

The  conversation  was  interrupted  by  the  entrance 
of  two  women  who  brought  a  calabash  of  stewed 
meat,  and  bread  made  of  ground  cassava  baked  in 
the  ashes.  A  girl  pushed  slyly  into  the  apartment  a 
gourd  of  water,  and  when  the  food  had  been  placed 
on  the  floor  the  attendants  withdrew. 


*        THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  143 

"  There  ain't  much  danger  of  our  starving  yet  a 
while,"  Koy  said,  gleefully ;  "  but  I  would  like  to  be 
told  what  kind  of  meat  this  is.  Knowing  that  some 
of  the  tribes  in  this  country  are  cannibals,  a  fellow 
natuially  feels  suspicious." 

"  This  is  waree,"  Tongla  replied,  quickly.  "  The 
Wool  was  do  not  eat  their  enemies." 

"  It  tastes  a  great  deal  better  than  the  ugly  things 
look  when  they  are  just  under  your  hammock  in  the 
night,"  Dean  said,  as,  using  his  machete  for  a  fork, 
he  brought  out  from  the  calabash  a  generous  portion. 

It  was  a  hearty  meal  which  the  boys  made,  and 
the  party  of  children  who  watched  them  did  not  in 
any  way  interfere  with  its  full  enjoyment.  All  ate 
until  it  was  impossible  to  take  another  mouthful,  and 
then  went  to  the  open  part  of  the  building,  where 
the  Indians  were  evidently  awaiting  their  arrival. 

The  men  were  clad  in  what  appeared  to  be  white 
ponchos  wound  twice  around  their  bodies  and  fast- 
ened at  the  waist  with  a  girdle  of  mohoe-bark ;  the 
boys  sported  a  much  smaller  garment  of  the  same 
fashion,  while  the  women  and  girls  were  clad  in  a 
single  petticoat.  A  white  cotton  band  tied  tightly 
about  the  head,  probably  to  keep  the  hair  in  place, 
was  conspicuous  among  the  females,  and,  as  Dean 
said,  "  was  mighty  convenient  for  the  purpose  of 
distinguishing  a  boy  from  a  girl." 

When  the  guests  joined  the  main  body  of  the 
community  they  found  a  circle  of  old  men,  each  with 
a  small  torch  in  his  hand,  seated  within  a  ring  of 
raised  stones  at  one  corner  of  the  building,  and  here 
Tongla  came  to  a  full  stop. 


144  THE  TREASURE-FINDMH. 

"  What's  going  on  ?"  Roy  whispered,  and  the  In- 
dian replied : 

"  These  are  the  head  men,  and  they  will  want  to 
hear  our  story  again." 

In  this  Tongla  was  not  mistaken.  A  few  seconds 
later  one  of  the  men  advanced,  took  Roy  by  the  hand 
and  led  him  into  the  circle,  the  other  two  boys  fol- 
lowing. 

Here  they  stood  while  the  men  remained  seated, 
and  the  eldest  of  the  party  began  what  sounded 
very  much  like  a  regular  speech,  Tongla  translating 
it  when  the  speaker  came  to  a  close. 

"  He  says  that  we  are  welcome  to  stay  here  until 
it  pleases  us  to  go  down  the  river ;  that  they  are 
friends  of  the  white  men,  and  shall  continue  to  be ; 
but  he  asks  that  we  tell  the  story  of  our  flight  in 
order  that  all  may  understand  whether  there  is  any 
chance  that  the  followers  of  Kabul  will  come  this 
way  in  search  of  us." 

"  That's  all  right,  of  course ;  but  you'll  have  to  do 
the  talking,"  Roy  replied.  - 

Without  hesitation  Tongla  began,  the  women  and 
children  gathering  near  the  ring  of  stones  to  listen ; 
and  that  he  gave  a  detailed  account  of  their  misad- 
ventures the  boys  understood  from  the  length  of 
time  occupied  in  the  recital. 

When  he  had  finished  there  was  profound  silence 
for  fully  a  minute,  after  which  one  of  the  party 
arose,  fanned  his  torch  into  a  blaze  by  swinging  it 
around  his  head  several  times,  and  then  began  what 
Roy  thought  was  a  reply  to  Tongla's  story. 

He  talked  rapidly  for  some  time,  gesticulating 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  145 

Violently,  and  pointing  from  one  guest  to  another, 
until  Dean  felt  quite  certain  he  objected  to  their  re- 
maining in  the  village. 

"What's  the  matter  now  ? '  he  whispered  to  Ton- 
gla. 

"This  man  does  not  believe  I  have  told  every- 
thing. He  says  the  followers  of  Kabul,  treacherous 
though  they  are,  do  not  war  upon  children." 

"  Do  they  suspect  the  real  cause  ?"  Roy  asked,  ap- 
prehensively. 

"  If  they  did,  the  demand  for  the  idols  would  have 
been  made  before  this.  I— 

He  was  interrupted  by  one  of  the  party  who  ap- 
proached, spoke  a  few  words  in  a  low  tone,  and  then 
returned  to  his  seat. 

"  We  are  to  go  away  while  the  council  is  being 
held,"  Tongla  said  as  he  walked  toward  their  own 
apartment;  and  the  curious  ones  on  the  outside 
were  so  deeply  interested  in  what  was  being  dis- 
cussed that  no  attention  was  paid  to  their  move- 
ments. 

Roy  looked  around  inquisitively  as  they  walked 
the  entire  length  of  the  building  for  the  second 
time,  and  observed  that  the  inside  of  the  roof  was 
hung  with  bunches  of  plantains,  bananas,  yams  and 
dried  meat  until  it  resembled  a  vast  store-house. 
Prosaic  as  the  articles  were,  the  sight  reassured  him ; 
for,  despite  what  Tongla  had  said,  he  could  not  re- 
press the  fear  that  these  people  might  be  cannibals. 
He  remembered  reading,  just  before  leaving  home, 
when  he  and  Dean  were  studying  the  histories  re- 
garding their  future  dwelling-place,  that  certain 


146  THE  TREASURE-BINDERS. 

tribes  in  Nicaragua  were  addicted  to  the  use  of  hu- 
man flesh,  and  this  had  troubled  him  not  a  littla 
since  arriving  at  the  village. 

"  Now  what  are  they  up  to  ?"  Dean  asked,  when 
they  were  in  the  "  pen,"  as  Eoy  termed  the  room. 

"  I  don't  know.  Perhaps  they  have  a  suspicion 
of  why  we  came  here,  and  do  not  wish  us  to  hear 
them  discussing  it." 

"  If  it's  no  worse  than  that  we  needn't  worry," 
Dean  replied ;  "  but  I  fancied  that  two  or  three  of 
those  old  fellows  didn't  like  the  idea  of  our  being 
here." 

"  They  seemed  to  be  willing  to  have  us  come," 
Eoy  said,  thoughtfully.  "  So  far  as  we  could  see, 
the  invitation  was  a  cordial  one." 

"  Those  who  came  to  meet  us  were  very  friendly," 
Tongla  added.  "  It  is  some  who  were  not  consulted, 
and  they  appear  to  think  there  is  danger  in  allow- 
ing us  to  remain." 

"  Then  go  back  and  tell  them  we  will  leave  this 
very  night.  Say  we  can  sleep  in  the  woods,  and 
our  guns  are  sufficient  with  which  to  procure 
food." 

"  It  is  best  to  wait  until  the  council  is  finished," 
Tongla  replied.  "  It  may  be  that  they  will  decide 
in  our  favor." 

"  We  won't  wait  for  that ;"  and  Koy  spoke  in  a 
tone  of  great  determination.  "  Tell  them  now,  and 
if  they  are  so  disposed  we'll  clear  out  at  once." 

This  was  neither  more  nor  less  than  a  command, 
and  the  Indian  boy  obeyed,  but  not  with  a  very 
good  grace.  He  walked  half  the  length  of  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  14? 

building,  called  one  of  the  women  to  his  side,  and 
by  her  sent  some  message  to  those  in  council. 

She  went  toward  the  circle  of  stones,  waited  un- 
til the  man  who  was  delivering  an  impassioned 
speech  had  ceased,  and  then  spoke.  A  moment 
later  she  returned  to  Tongla  and  led  him  forward. 

From  their  "pen"  the  boys  watched  him,  saw 
that  he  spoke  gravely  for  a  few  seconds,  and  was 
about  to  retire  when  one  of  the  party  prevented 
him.  Then  ensued  a  long  and  noisy  discussion,  at 
the  end  of  which  the  Indian  boy  came  slowly  back, 
looking  very  much  troubled. 

"  Well,  are  we  to  go  ?"  Dean  asked,  impatiently. 

"  They  will  not  allow  us  to  leave,  however  eager 
we  may  be  to  do  so.  I  cannot  understand  why 
there  is  any  question  regarding  our  staying  or  de- 
parting." 

The  white  boys  could  not  but  be  disturbed  by  this 
answer,  as  well  as  by  the  evident  anxiety  of  their 
companion,  and  Koy  said,  regretfully : 

"  It  is  my  fault  that  we  came  here  at  all ;  but  at 
the  time  it  seemed  to  be  the  wisest  course.  Mat- 
ters begin  to  look  as  if  we  had  got  into  another 
scrape,  and  the  question  is,  What  shall  we  do  I" 

"We  are  powerless,"  Tongla  replied.  "Until 
they  decide,  we  are  the  same  as  prisoners." 

"  I'm  going  to  learn  whether  we  are  or  not ;"  and 
Roy  walked  quickly  out  of  the  building,  following 
along  the  stream  until  he  disappeared  in  the  under- 
growth. 

Watching  those  at  the  other  end  of  the  house, 
Dean  and  Tongla  saw  that  notice  had  been  taken  of 


148  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

the  boy's  departure,  and  almost  immediately  two  of 
the  younger  men  lounged  toward  the  water-course, 
as  if  going  for  a  stroll ;  but  they  took  good  care  to 
follow  Eoy's  footsteps. 

"  That  settles  it !"  Dean  said,  in  dismay.  "  If  one 
goes  out  alone  he  will  be  watched,  and  if  all  three 
should  attempt  to  leave  I  reckon  there  would  be 
trouble." 

"  That  is  true.  We  are  prisoners."  And  Tongla 
threw  himself  on  his  hammock,  where  he  remained 
in  moody  silence  until  Dean  asked : 

"  Can't  we  hide  the  idols  somewhere  ?  Matters 
might  be  worse,  if  that  be  possible,  in  case  they  are 
found." 

"We  would  be  obliged  to  take  them  from  the 
house,  and  while  they  watch  every  movement  there 
is  no  opportunity." 

By  this  time  Koy  could  be  seen  coming  up  the 
stream,  with  the  two  men  about  a  dozen  paces  in 
the  rear,  and  Dean  went  to  meet  him. 

"That  question  was  settled  very  emphatically," 
Koy  said  to  his  brother,  with  a  mirthless  laugh. 
"  These  fellows  were  behind  me  before  I  got  fairly 
out  of  sight." 

"  We  saw  them,  and  Tongla  seems  thoroughly  dis- 
couraged. If  we  could  only  bury  those  idols !" 

"That's  just  what  I've  been  thinking  of;  but 
there's  no  way  to  fix  it.  Our  only  course  is  to  hang 
around  as  if  we  didn't  want  to  leave,  and  perhaps 
they'll  come  to  the  conclusion  that  there  is  nothing 
very  dangerous  about  us ;  but  the  idols  must  be  kept 
under  cover." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  149 

"  If  these  men  take  a  notion  to  search  our  stuff 
we  can't  help  ourselves." 

"  We  won't  worry  about  that  yet  awhile.  There's 
enough  disagreeable  to  think  of  without  speculating 
upon  something  which  may  never  happen." 


"••rW 
UNIVERSITY  ^ 

Of 


150  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEK  XYL 

PRISONERS. 

IT  CAN"  well  be  fancied  that  the  boys  were  not 
feeling  particularly  cheerful  when  they  were 
alone  in  the  "pen"  once  more.  There  could  no 
longer  be  any  question  but  that  they  were  prison- 
ers, for  a  certain  length  of  time  at  least,  and  the 
uncertainty  regarding  the  future  was  even  worse 
than  the  knowledge  of  positive  suffering  would  have 
been. 

Tongla  bestirred  himself  to  set  the  place  to  rights, 
and  when  that  was  done  re-hung  his  hammock  in 
such  a  manner  that  it  partially  blocked  the  entrance 
to  their  apartment.  Then  he  laid  down  with  his 
machete  by  his  side,  and  Roy  asked : 

"  What  is  that  for  ?    Do  you  fear  an  attack  3" 

"  It  is  well  to  be  prepared." 

"But  we  would  surely  get  the  worst  of  a  row 
while  there  are  so  many  against  us." 

"One  never  knows  what  may  happen.  I  shall 
watch,  and  you  can  go  to  sleep." 

"  I  don't  fancy  either  of  us  will  do  much  of  that 
sort  of  thing  to-night.  A  fellow's  eyes  are  pretty 
sure  to  stay  open  under  such  circumstances  as 
these." 

As  could  be  seen  by  peering  around  the  partitions 
formed  of  sections  cut  from  the  cabbage-palm,  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  151 

old  men  were  yet  in  council,  and  the  remainder  of 
tfie  inhabitants  were  so  interested  in  the  proceedings 
that  they  stayed  where  all  which  was  said  might  be 
©verheard. 

"  I  wonder  how  long  they'll  keep  that  up  ?"  Dean 
asked,  as  he  placed  one  of  the  fowling-pieces  near 
his  hammock  preparatory  to  retiring. 

"Until  our  fate  has  been  decided.  It's  a  pity 
Tongla  didn't  hang  around  near  by  to  find  out  some- 
thing." 

"That  was  not  allowed,"  the  Indian  boy  said, 
with  a  smile.  "  We  were  invited  to  go  to  bed,  and 
matters  might  have  been  uncomfortable  had  we  re- 
fused to  accept  the  invitation." 

All  the  guests  laid  down,  for  it  was  not  well  to 
show  their  suspicions  at  this  early  stage ;  but  neither 
intended  to  indulge  in  sleep.  Yet  despite  the  pos- 
sible danger,  both  Koy  and  Dean  were  soon  slumber- 
ing as  sweetly  as  if  nothing  had  occurred  to  cause 
alarm. 

The  sun  had  looked  over  the  tree-tops  some  time 
before  either  awakened,  and  then  leaping  quickly 
down  Koy  said  to  Tongla,  who  was  seated  just  outside 
the  "pen:" 

"  Why,  the  Indians  have  all  disappeared !  Where 
are  they  ?" 

The  boy  pointed  toward  the  stream,  which  just 
below  the  ford  widened  into  a  regular  basin,  and 
there  could  be  seen  nearly  the  entire  population  of 
the  village  enjoying  a  bath.  They  were  swimming 
around  like  ducks,  shouting,  talking  and  laughing  in 
the  j oiliest  manner  possible. 


152  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  I  shouldn't  mind  sharing  in  the  sport ;  but  I  sup- 
pose it  will  be  better  to  wait  until  we  know  what 
they  propose  to  do  with  us  ?" 

"  No  one  would  find  fault.  You  and  Dean  can  go 
while  I  stay  here  to  watch  the  treasure." 

Tongla  seemed  positive  that,  whatever  the  decision 
arrived  at  on  the  previous  night,  the  boys  were  at 
liberty  to  bathe,  and  they  went  at  once  toward  the 
river,  but,  after  partially  undressing,  plunged  in  at 
a  point  some  distance  from  the  gay  throng.  They 
were  not  to  be  alone  very  long,  however,  for  as  soon 
as  a  party  of  Indian  boys  caught  a  glimpse  of  the 
white  lads  they  swam  up  stream  laughing  and  jell- 
ing, as  by  gestures  they  invited  the  new-comers  to  a 
race. 

Koy  and  Dean  joined  in  the,,  sport  with  hearty 
good-will,  although  they  could  not  hope  to  excel 
these  dark-skinned  fellows,  who  appeared  to  be  per- 
fectly at  home  in  the  water ;  and  during  nearly  an 
hour  the  older  inhabitants  of  the  village  enjoyed  the 
trials  of  skill,  in  which  the  visitors  were  invariably 
beaten. 

Then  the  entire  crowd  trooped  up  to  the  building 
where  some  of  the  women  had  been  preparing  a 
breakfast  of  fruit,  and  bread  somewhat  resembling 
tortillas.  The  new-comers  were  fed  in  their  own 
apartment,  as  on  the  previous  evening,  and  when  the 
meal  was  finished  each  person  went  about, ^he 
business  or  pleasure  of  the  day  without  paying  the 
slightest  attention  to  the  little  party,  who  had  good 
reason  to  consider  themselves  prisoners. 

"  I  wonder  what  they  mean  to  do  2"  Roy  asked, 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  153 

in  a  tone  of  perplexity,  as  he  stood  with  Dean  and 
Tongla  by  the  entrance  to  their  "  pen." 

"  "We  shall  hear  in  good  time,"  the  Indian  boy  re- 
plied.    "  I  think  they  are  waiting  to  learn  if  the  fol 
lowers  of  Kabul  are  on  our  track,  for  before  you 
awakened  this  morning  I  saw  the  men  collecting 
their  weapons,  as  if  preparing  for  an  attack." 

"  But  are  we  to  remain  under  cover  all  day  ?" 

"I  do  not  think  anything  would  be  said  if  we 
went  out,  providing  we  remain  near  the  house." 

"  Then  let's  see  what  is  going  on ;  it  will  be  better 
than  standing  here  moping." 

Dean  followed  his  brother ;  but  Tongla  clambered 
into  the  hammock  again  in  order  to  watch  over  the 
golden  gods  which  he  feared  might  lead  them  into 
yet  greater  difficulties. 

The  white  boys  saw  plenty  to  attract  their  atten- 
tion. Here  were  a  party  of  women  and  girls  grind- 
ing maize  between  two  stones,  the  bottom  one  very 
large  and  hollowed  in  the  center,  and  the  other  small 
enough  to  be  held  conveniently  in  both  hands. 
Others  were  crushing,  in  the  same  manner,  wild 
sugar-cane,  and  mixing  the  juice  with  powdered 
cacao,  to  make,  as  Tongla  afterward  told  them,  a 
kind  of  liquor  called  ulung. 

Some  of  the  older  women  were  spinning  and 
weaving  native  cotton  in  a  clumsy  sort  of  fashion. 
In  fact  all  the  female  portion  of  the  community 
were  laboring  industriously,  while  the  men  and  boys 
appeared  to  take  life  very  easily. 

Half  a  dozen  young  men  were  exhibiting  their 
skill  in  throwing  a  short  wooden  spear,  and  from  the 


154  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

precision  with  which  they  hit  the  target  at  a  distance 
of  from  twenty  to  thirty  paces  it  could  readily  be 
^een  how  slight  a  chance  the  little  party,  with  their 
two  fowling-pieces,  would  have  in  case  of  a  pitched 
battle. 

Next  in  interest  to  this  last  scene  was  that  pre- 
sented by  the  roof  of  the  building,  where  were  con- 
gregated a  number  of  tame  parrots  and  macaws 
trying  to  defend  themselves  against  four  or  five 
small  monkeys  who  were  making  strenuous  efforts 
to  pluck  out  the  gaudy  feathers  from  the  tails  of 
these  winged  residents.  Now  and  -then  one  of  the 
birds  would  strike  viciously  at  an  over -brave 
monkey,  and  in  case  of  success  each  parrot  and 
macaw  seemed  to  consider  it  his  especial  duty  to 
make  the  greatest  possible  amount  of  noise. 

Although  there  were  so  very  many  strange  and 
curious  things  to  be  seen,  the  boys  did  not  spend 
very  much  time  out  of  doors.  The  mental  anxiety 
was  so  great  that  after  a  few  moments  both  re-en- 
tered the  building  to  discuss  the  situation  with 
Tongla  for  at  least  the  twentieth  time. 

They  arrived  just  as  the  Indian  had  conceived 
what  he  believed  to  be  a  brilliant  scheme  for  dis- 
posing of  the  golden  idols,  and  he  unfolded  it  with- 
out delay. 

"The  stones  which  form  this  floor  are  not  fast 
ened  together,"  he  said;   and   Koy  asked,  in  sur- 
prise : 

"  What  if  they  are  not  ?  It  doesn't  make  any 
difference  to  us,  as  I  can  see." 

"  But  we  might  raise  one  now,  when  all  the  peo- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  155 

pie  are  outside,  and  bury  the  figures  of  the  gods 
beneath  it,"  Tongla  added,  eagerly. 

"And  then  perhaps  not  have  a  chance  to  get  at 
them  again,"  Dean  said.  "  After  carrying  them  so 
far,  we  don't  want  to  run  the  risk  of  losing  them." 

"  If  these  people  see  the  gods,  as  I  am  certain 
they  will  if  we  keep  them  in  the  sacks,  we  shall 
not  only  lose  all,  but  be  in  great  trouble  besides." 

"  Tongla's  plan  is  a  good  one,"  Koy  said,  approv- 
ingly. "If  we  are  forced  to  remain  here  many 
days,  it  is  safe  to  say  the  Indians  will  find  out  what 
we've  got  in  our  knapsacks,  when  there's  every  chance 
of  a  big  row,  more  especially  if  these  fellows  are 
idol- worshipers.  Now  the  gold  will  be  just  as  safe, 
so  far  as  we  are  concerned,  under  one  of  these 
stones,  and  it  wouldn't  be  much  trouble  to  take  it 
out  again  when  we  have  a  chance  to  leave." 

Dean  was  silenced,  but  not  convinced.  He  un- 
derstood that  the  Indians  might  seize  the  gods  at 
any  moment,  and  yet  to  bury  them  seemed  like  re- 
linquishing all  title  to  the  treasure.  Not  being  able 
to  say  why  Tongla's  plan  was  unwise  he  offered  no 
further  objections,  and  his  companions  proceeded  to 
carry  it  into  effect  without  delay. 

By  lowering  the  hammocks  a  trifle,  and  pushing 
the  sacks  near  the  entrance  to  the  "pen,"  it  was  pos- 
sible so  to  conceal  their  movements  that  no  one 
could  see  what  was  going  on,  except  by  coming  di- 
rectly into  the  room. 

After  trying  all  the  stones,  it  was  found  that  a 
block  at  the  extreme  end  of  the  apartment  could 
be  moved  more  readily  than  any  of  the  others,  and 


156  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

by  using  their  machetes  as  levers  the  task  was  ac- 
complished with  but  little  labor. 

Beneath  it  the  earth  was  packed  hard,  although 
not  so  solidly  but  that  a  hole  could  be  bored  with 
their  weapons,  and  in  less  than  ten  minutes  from  the 
time  the  plan  was  proposed  the  golden  gods  were 
buried  in  such  a  manner  that  they  could  readily  be 
taken  out  when  the  proper  time  arrived. 

Then  the  stone  was  replaced,  and  the  boys  spent 
some  time  in  trampling  upon  it,  that  there  might  be 
no  evidence  of  its  removal. 

"  Now  we  can  all  go  out,"  Tongla  said,  in  a  tone 
of  satisfaction,  as  he  begaii  to  replace  their  goods  as 
before.  "  No  one  can  suspect  we  have  hidden  any- 
thing, and  the  men  may  search  the  sacks  when  they 
please." 

Relieved  at  being  no  longer  obliged  to  guard  the 
treasure,  Tongla  went  at  once  to  the  stream  and  en- 
joyed his  long-delayed  bath,  while  Roy  and  Dean 
sought  a  shady  spot  near  the  bank  where  they  could 
keep  him  in  view. 

To  this  outing  none  of  the  villagers  appeared  to 
object ;  but  after  a  few  moments  the  boys  noticed 
that  at  different  points  men  suddenly  came  into 
view  as  if  by  accident,  and  they  were  stationed  in 
such  manner  that  there  would  have  been  no  chance 
to  escape  had  the  little  party  been  disposed  tp  adopt 
desperate  measures. 

"  If  we  didn't  know  it  before,  there' d  be  no  ques- 
tion now  about  our  being  prisoners,"  Roy  said, 
mournfully  ;  "  and  what  is  more,  they  don't  intend 
to  give  us  the  slightest  chance  of  escaping." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  157 

"I  don't  understand  their  reason  for  keeping  us. 
It  can't  be  in  order  to  steal  our  traps,  for  those 
might  easily  have  been  taken  last  night." 

"  There's  no  means  of  finding  out  until  they  get 
ready  to  tell  us,"  Roy  replied,  with  a  sigh ;  and  then 
Tongla,  his  bath  finished,  joined  them. 

During  the  two  hours  which  followed  the  boys  re- 
mained out  of  doors,  but  always  under  supervision 
of  five  or  six  men,  and  then,  the  time  for  the  siesta 
having  arrived,  they  returned  to  the  building. 

Dean  led  the  way  to  their  "pen,"  and  as  he 
reached  the  entrance  started  back  with  a  cry  of  dis- 
may. 

"  They've  stolen  our  things  and  put  a  whole  fam- 
ily in  here  with  us !"  he  said,  as  Roy  and  Tongla 
crowded  past  him. 

A  woman  and  two  small  children  were  occupying 
the  apartment,  and  the  former  did  not  so  much  as 
look  at  the  boys  when  they  approached.  The  ham- 
mocks had  been  taken  down  and  others  put  in  their 
places,  while  nothing  could  be  seen  of  the  weapons 
or  sacks. 

The  three  stood  gazing  at  these  evidences  of  evic- 
tion in  speechless  astonishment  until  a  very  old 
man  came  toward  them  and  spoke  a  few  words  to 
Tongla. 

"  He  says  that  this  place  was  not  good  enough  for 
us,  and  that  our  traps  have  been  moved  nearer  the 
middle  of  the  building,"  Tongla  said,  when  the  man 
had  finished.  "  We  may  as  well  find  out  where  the 
place  is." 

"  But  we  can't  leave  here  on  account  of  the  buried 


158  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

treasure,"  Dean  whispered,  forgetting  in  his  excite- 
ment that  none  save  his  own  party  could  have 
understood  him,  however  loud  he  may  have  spoken. 
"Tell  him  that  this  'pen'  suits  us  much  better 
than  any  other  in  the  house,  and  we  must  stay 
here." 

"  It  would  be  useless ;  there  is  some  reason  for 
moving  us,  and  we  shall  only  cause  them  to  grow 
suspicious  by  making  objections." 

"Come  along!"  Koy  said,  sternly,  pulling  his 
brother  by  the  coat-sleeve.  "That  old  fellow  is 
watching  every  movement  we  make,  and  he'll  have 
a  fine  yarn  to  tell  the  others  if  we  stand  here  dis- 
puting." 

Thus  urged,  Dean  could  do  no  less  than  follow 
Boy  and  Tongla,  who  were  being  conducted  by  the 
old  man  to  another  "pen"  nearly  midway  of  the 
row,  where  there  were  ample  evidences  of  recent  oc- 
cupancy. 

"  This  doesn't  begin  to  be  as  good  as  the  other," 
Roy  said,  as  he  inspected  the  uncleanly  place, 
"  therefore  the  excuse  which  has  been  made  is  a 
false  one." 

"  Do  you  not  see  that  from  here  they  will  have 
less  trouble  watching  us  ?"  the  Indian  boy  asked. 
"  There  we  were  at  the  extreme  end,  and  might  pos- 
sibly be  able  to  slip  out ;  now  the  prisoners  will  be 
in  the  midst  of  their  captors,  and  every  move  must 
be  known." 

The  old  man  gazed  at  the  little  party  intently,  as 
if  to  learn  their  ideas  regarding  the  change,  and 
when  his  curiosity  was  satisfied  he  walked  slowly 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  159 

a\vay,  leaving  them  to  rearrange  their  scanty  house- 
hold goods. 

"  It  begins  to  look  as  if  we  had  said  good-by  to 
the  idols,"  Roy  said,  ruefully.  "  I  can't  see  how  it, 
will  ever  be  possible  to  dig  them  up  without  telling 
the  whole  story." 

Now  he  and  Tongla  regretted  not  having  listened 
to  Dean  a  few  hours  longer,  for  the  gods  might  have 
been  buried  in  that  apartment  as  well  as  the  other, 
and  a  short  delay  Would  have  prevented  this  appar- 
ent disaster. 


100  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE  XVII. 

THE    LOST    IDOLS. 

IT  IS  NOT  to  be  wondered  at  that  the  boys  were 
disheartened  by  this  loss  of  the  treasure  through 
their  own  act,  and  during  the  time  of  the  siesta  but 
little  else  was  spoken  of.  Sleep  did  not  visit  their 
eyelids,  and  while  the  other  occupants  of  the  build- 
ing gave  very  palpable  evidence  of  being  wrapped  in 
slumber  they  bewailed  their  misfortune,  with  hardly 
a  thought  that  the  gods  might  yet  be  recovered. 

Tongla  did  not  hesitate  to  say  this  last  disaster 
was  caused  by  the  direct  interference  of  Kabul,  and 
stated  as  his  firm  belief  that  they  would  never  reach 
the  Coloney  plantation  until  the  idols  had  been  re- 
stored to  their  worshipers. 

"  Suppose  for  a  moment  these  images  really  are 
gods,"  Roy  said,  impatiently ;  "  how  are  we  to  do  as 
you  say,  provided  we  could  get  them  in  our  posses- 
sion ?  You  don't  know  what  gods  they  are — never 
saw  the  same  kind  of  figures  before,  and  concluded 
they  must  have  been  worshiped  by  those  who  built 
the  ruined  city.  Having  been  forgotten,  we  can't 
restore  them  to  any  one,  and  they  really  are  nothing 
more  than  so  much  gold.  It  is  for  that  reason  only 
the  Sukia  and  her  friends  are  so  eager  to  get  posses- 
sion of  them.  If  they  were  nothing  but  stone  we 
would  not  have  been  molested." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  161 

"It  makes  no  difference  to  the  Sukia  whether 
they  are  precious  metal  or  decaying  wood  ;  they  are 
the  gods,  and  as  such  must  be  protected." 

"  Now  you're  talking  foolishly,  Tongla.  The 
Sukia  cares  nothing  for  idols  of  stone,  because  your 
people  have  assisted  in  carrying  a  number  of  such 
material  out  of  Nicaragua,  and  they  are  to  be  seen 
at  the  Smithsonian  Institute  at  Washington,  in  my 
country." 

"  Have  you  seen  them  there  ?"  Tongla  asked,  in- 
credulously. 

"Certainly,  and  so  has  Dean.  The  gentleman 
who  was  Minister  from  my  country  to  yours  in  the 
year  1849  sent  several  on,  and  in  order  to  do  so  it 
was  necessary  the  Indians  should  aid  him.  Some 
came  from  the  very  city  where  we  found  the  ones 
just  lost,  and  your  people  were  perfectly  willing  he 
should  carry  them  away.  If  they  had  been  made  of 
gold,  like  those  we  found,  most  likely  there  would 
have  been  a  big  row.  Judging  from  that  fact,  you 
can  see  why  the  followers  of  Kabul  are  eager  to 
catch  us." 

Tongla  remained  silent  for  several  moments.  He 
could  not  doubt  what  Koy  told  him,  and  perhaps  for 
the  first  time  he  really  questioned  the  divine  attri- 
butes of  his  gods. 

"  It  may  be  we  shall  find  a  way  to  recover 
them,"  lie  said,  finally.  "  The  women  were  making 
ulung  this  morning,  and  when  it  has  become  strong 
enough  all  the  people  will  have  a  grand  festival. 
Then  the  guard  may  not  be  kept  so  strict,  and  pos- 
sibly we  can  escape." 


162  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  How  long  before  it  is  likely  to  take  place  ?" 

"  In  six  or  seven  days." 

"  And  we  are  to  be  kept  here  all  that  time  ?"  Dean 
asked,  in  dismay. 

"  We  shall  be  fortunate  to  get  away  then,  unless 
the  suspicions  which  these  men  have  can  be  dis- 
pelled, and  in  order  that  such  may  be  the  case  we 
must  not  appear  unwilling  to  stay.  Act  as  if  a  long 
rest  was  necessary,  and  while  doing  so  become  ac- 
quainted with  the  country." 

u  In  what  way  ?" 

"  Do  you  see  those  bales  of  bark  on  the  swinging 
platforms  under  the  roof  ?" 

"Yes." 

"  It  is  sarsaparilla,  and  has  been  gathered  that  it 
may  be  sold.  That  can  only  be  done  at  the  coast, 
and  these  people  would  not  try  to  go  on  foot.  Some- 
where, not  far  from  here,  the  stream  widens  until 
boats  can  be  used,  or  there  is  another  water-way 
near  by.  We  must  know  the  direction,  in  order  to 
be  ready  when  the  moment  arrives.  By  talking 
with  the  young  men  I  can  learn  where  the  nearest 
village  is,  that  We  may  not  pass  it  during  the  day. 
We  cannot  gain  too  much  knowledge,  and  the  time 
from  now  until  the  drinking  of  the  ulung  is  short." 

This  was  the  sort  of  talk  to  revive  the  boys' 
drooping  courage,  and  it  did  them  a  world  of  good. 
They  no  longer  believed  the  idols  were  irrevocably 
lost,  and  the  fact  that  there  was  work  to  be  done 
prevented  their  thoughts  from  dwelling  upon  the 
possibility  that  the  imprisonment  might  be  made 
more  rigorous. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  163 

After  some  discussion  it  was  decided  that  Dean 
should  start  down  stream  when  the  siesta  was  sup- 
posed to  have  come  to  a  close,  and,  without  paying 
the  slightest  attention  to  whoever  might  follow,  un- 
less absolutely  obliged  so  to  do,  try  to  learn  where 
the  boats  were  kept. 

Eoy  was  to  remain  quietly  in  the  village  as  a  sort 
of  hostage,  while  Tongla  proposed  to  cultivate  the 
acquaintance  of  those  who  had  swam  with  the 
white  boys  by  challenging  them  to  race  with  him. 

There  yet  remained  some  time  before  these  plans 
could  be  put  into  execution,  and  the  Indian  im- 
proved the  opportunity  by  impressing  upon  his  com- 
panions' minds  the  necessity  for  patience. 

"  Do  not  try  to  learn  too  much  in  one  day,"  he 
said.  "  We  cannot  leave  here  for  a  week,  however 
well  prepared  for  the  journey;  therefore  move 
slowly." 

Then  he  explained  every  detail  which  it  was  nec- 
essary they  should  know  before  an  escape  could  be 
attempted  with  any  prospect  of  success,  and  by 
the  time  these  instructions  had  been  brought  to  an 
end  the  occupants  of  the  village  were  bestirring 
themselves.  The  siesta  was  ended,  and  the  work 
or  play  began  once  more. 

With  an  assumption  of  indifference  as  to  where 
his  stroll  should  lead  him,  Dean  walked  slowly  from 
the  house  to  the  woods,  entering  the  thicket  some 
distance  from  the  stream,  but  moving  obliquely  in 
order  to  strike  the  water-way  about  a  mile  from  the 
village. 

Immediately  three  of  the  younger  men  evinced  a 


164  THE  TREASVRE-FiNDM8. 

v  great  desire  to  pursue  the  same  course,  and  Eoy 
said,  as  he  saw  them  start  off  in  the  direction  taken 
by  his  brother : 

"  They  don't  intend  that  even  one  of  us  shall  get 
away.  It's  foolish  to  follow  him  now,  for  it  isn't 
reasonable  to  suppose  he  would  attempt  to  escape, 
leaving  two  here." 

"Perhaps  they  believe  our  coming  was  only  to 
prepare  the  way  for  an  attack  by  the  Sukia's  mes- 
sengers, and  dog  his  steps  to  learn  if  he  meets  any 
one  in  the  forest." 

"  I  hope  that  is  the  reason,  for  if  we  are  to  be 
chased  in  this  manner  there'll  be  small  chance  of 
ever  giving  them  the  slip." 

"  After  two  or  three  days  they  may  be  less  watch- 
ful," Tongla  replied,  as  he  left  the  building  to  join  a 
group  of  half  a  dozen  young  fellows  who  were  stand- 
ing near  the  stream. 

Roy  saw  him  enter  into  conversation  with  them, 
and  a  few  moments  later  all  stepped  toward  the 
water,  the  unemployed  inhabitants  of  the  village 
gathering  on  the  bank  in  response  to  the  calls  of 
Tongla's  companions. 

Seated  on  the  edge  of  the  raised  platform  which 
formed  the  floor  of  the  house,  that  every  one  could 
see  him,  Roy  pretended  to  watch  the  swimmers 
with  great  interest,  when  in  reality  he  was  thinking 
of  their  defenceless  condition  and  the  poor  prospect 
of  ever  seeing  the  Coloney  plantation  again. 

Tongla  was  sparing  no  pains  to  make  himself  ac- 
quainted with  and  liked  by  the  young  fellows. 
During  nearly  an  hour  he  remained  in  the  water 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  165 

with  them,  and  at  each  exhibition  of  skill  he  was 
beaten — because  he  chose  to  be,  Roy  thought ;  but 
the  victory  was  never  an  easy  one,  consequently  all 
were  in  the  best  of  spirits. 

At  the  conclusion,  some  of  the  party  evidently  in- 
vited him  to  accompany  them  up  the  stream,  for 
what  purpose  Eoy  could  not  guess,  and  he  started 
off  as  if  perfectly  contented  with  all  his  surround- 
ings. 

Two  hours  later,  while  Tongla  was  still  absent, 
Dean  returned  looking  weary,  as  if  after  a  long 
tramp,  and  seating  himself  by  his  brother's  side 
began  a  detailed  account  of  the  excursion. 

"I've  found  the  boats,  although  they  must  be  as 
much  as  two  miles  away,  and  at  every  step  I  could 
see  that  the  Indians  were  close  around  me.  One  or 
the  other  has  kept  me  in  sight  all  the  time,  and  I 
hope  they're  satisfied  with  the  investigations.  Here 
the  sneaks  come  now,"  he  added,  as  three  men  ap- 
peared from  the  thicket.  "If  it  hadn't  been  such 
hard  work  I'd  have  given  them  a  walk  to  be  remem- 
bered." 

"  Does  the  stream  widen  as  you  go  down  ?" 

"  Another  one  empties  into  it,  and  the  two  make 
quite  a  river — most  likely  the  one  Tongla  wanted  to 
find,  for  it  flows  in  a  south-easterly  direction." 

"  How  many  boats  are  there  ?" 

"Eight  or  ten;  but  close  by  is  a  shanty  in  which 
five  or  six  people  are  living,  and  I  judged  they  were 
stationed  at  the  place  to  look  out  for  the  fleet. 
Even  if  we  succeed  in  getting  away  from  here 
there's  not  much  chance  of  seizing  a  craft." 


166  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  Did  they  show  any  surprise  at  seeing  you  ?" 

"Not  a  bit." 

"  How  long  did  you  stay  ?" 

"  Only  a  moment.  I  didn't  want  it  to  appear  as 
if  I  had  come  simply  to  look  at  the  boats,  so  kept 
straight  on  about  half  a  mile  more.  Where's 
Tongla?" 

"  Gone  up  stream  with  a  crowd.  Here  come  the 
women  with  our  supper,  and  I'm  going  to  eat  out  of 
doors  if  we  can  make  them  understand  what  we 
mean." 

After  a  series  of  the  most  extravagant  gestures 
Roy  succeeded  in  making  his  wishes  known,  and  a- 
wooden  tray  in  which  was  baked  fish,  together  with 
plenty  of  cassava  bread,  was  placed  before  them. 

"Whatever  else  we  may  do,  it  is  impossible  to 
complain  of  the  food,"  Dean  said,  as  he  began  the 
meal  with  an  appetite  sharpened  by  his  long  walk. 
"One  could  almost  fancy  they  wanted  to  fatten 
us." 

This  was  an  unfortunate  turn  in  the  conversation 
for  the  boys'  peace  of  mind.  The  one  thing  which 
had  been  haunting  them  was  that  they  were  among 
cannibals,  and  this  reference  to  being  fattened 
caused  both  a  very  unpleasant  sensation. 

Fortunately  they  were  not  left  to  these  mournful 
thoughts  many  moments,  for  before  the  bread  had 
grown  cold  Tongla  arrived,  evidently  on  the  best  of 
terms  with  his  Woolwa  companions,  as  could  be  told 
by  the  manner  in  which  they  took  leave  of  him. 

He  questioned  Dean  eagerly  as  to  the  result  of  his 
stroll  through  the  woods,  and  then  said,  with  a  vi- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  1C? 

vacity  such  as  the  boys  had  not  seen  him  display 
since  they  left  the  hacienda : 

"  The  ulung-drinking  will  take  place  on  the  second 
day.  The  nearest  village  is  twenty  miles  away,  and 
the  river  Dean  saw  leads  to  the  coast.  We  must 
now  meet  the  boat-keepers  several  times,  so  we  may 
recognize  them  if  they  come  to  the  festival,  and 
make  friends  with  the  family  who  live  where  we 
buried  the  idols  of  gold." 

Tongla  was  in  such  high  spirits,  and  seemed  so 
positive  they  could  make  their  escape,  that  the  boys 
soon  forgot  their  dismal  forebodings,  and  spent  al- 
most a  happy  evening  sitting  on  the  platform  discus- 
sing plans  for  the  future,  when  they  should  be  glid- 
ing swiftly  down  the  river  toward  the  coast. 

As  soon  as  it  became  dark  the  old  men,  each 
holding  a  lighted  torch,  assembled  within  the  circle 
of  stones,  evidently  for  the  purpose  of  holding  coun- 
cil, and  from  the  curiosity  displayed  by  the  other 
occupants  of  the  village  Tongla  believed  he  and  his 
companions  were  the  subject  of  discussion,  more 
particularly  since  the  man  who  had  appeared  to  be 
their  enemy  on  the  previous  evening  now  continued 
his  remarks  with  great  vehemence. 

"  If  there  is  so  much  fuss  about  our  staying,  why 
don't  they  turn  us  out  ?"  Roy  asked. 

"  Because  for  fear  the  followers  of  Kabul  may  be 
near.  Those  whom  I  was  with  this  afternoon  say 
the  man  who  is  speaking  thinks  we  have  come  as 
spies  and  all  the  weapons  are  at  the  temple,  where 
a  battle,  if  there  is  any,  will  take  place." 

"  Then  if  the  Sukia's  messengers  should  track  us 


168  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

here  I  suppose  that  would  be  proof  enough  that  the 
talkative  old  fellow  is  correct  in  his  surmises,"  Eoy 
said,  nervously, 

"We  would  be  killed  immediately  the  news  of 
their  coming  was  brought  by  those  who  have  been 
sent  into  the  thicket  to  keep  watch,"  Tongla  replied 
in  a  matter-of-fact  tone. 

"  That's  a  cheerful  prospect  for  us,"  Dean  added, 
with  a  laugh  which  was  little  more  than  an  hysterical 
cry.  "  If  the  men  from  the  ruin  catch  us  we'll  be 
put  to  death,  and  in  case  they  so  much  as  make  a 
try  for  it  this  crowd  will  act  as  executioners." 

"  They  will  not  come  here  until  after  we  have  es- 
caped," Tongla  said,  positively.  "  If  it  was  known 
where  we  were  the  followers  of  Kabul  would  be 
obliged  to  wait  for  a  larger  force,  and  it  will  require 
some  days  to  gather  a  hundred  men,  even  though 
the  Sukia  herself  goes  to  summon  them." 

Then,  observing  that  his  companions  were  rapidly 
sinking  into  a  despondent  mood,  the  Indian  boy 
spoke  once  more  of  what  must  be  done  during  the 
time  which  would  elapse  before  the  festival,  and 
finally  succeeded  in  causing  them  to  forget  their  fears. 

The  council  was  brought  to  an  end  at  an  early 
hour,  as  compared  with  the  night  previous,  and  from 
the  manner  in  which  they  were  regarded  by  the 
young  fellows  Tongla  felt  certain  the  suspicious  old 
Indian  had  not  convinced  his  fellow-officers  that  the 
visitors  A\7ere  dangerous  characters. 

"  It  is  well,"  Tongla  said  as  they  went  to  the  "  pen  " 
assigned  them.  "We  will  not  be  disturbed,  and  in 
two  more  days  the  attempt  shall  be  made." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  169 

A 
OFTHf 

UNIVERSITY 


CHAPTEK  XYIIL 

PREPARATIONS. 

EYEN  if  Koy  and  Dean  had  not  been  apprised 
of  the  fact  by  Tongla,  they  would  have  known 
that  some  important  event  was  about  to  take  place 
from  the  bustle  of  preparation  everywhere  apparent 
next  morning. 

The  breakfast  was  served  sooner  than  usual,  the 
time  for  the  bath  was  curtailed,  and  each  occupant 
of  the  building  appeared  to  feel  a  heavy  weight  of 
responsibility. 

At  a  comparatively  early  hour  six  men  came  into 
the  village  from  the  forest  literally  staggering  under 
the  weight  of  vvarees,  a  dozen  or  more  of  which  were 
piled  on  each  litter ;  and  as  there  were  three  of  these 
apologies  for  hand-barrows,  the  amount  of  meat  can 
readily  be  computed. 

"  They  must  have  gone  into  the  thicket  last  night," 
Tongla  said  as  Roy  asked  if  the  new-comers  were 
strangers.  "  I  am  certain  I  saw  two  of  them  yester- 
day, and  if  the  others  had  come  on  a  visit  we  should 
see  the  head  men  greet  them  formally." 

.The  hunters  were  evidently  about  to  clean  and 
cook  their  game,  for  while  some  built  fires  the  re- 
mainder of  the  party  began  carving  a  number  of 
the  animals,  for  the  purpose,  as  Tongla  explained,  of 
curing  the  meat  by  means  of  smoke. 


170  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

All  the  women  were  industriously  making  bread, 
grinding  maize  or  crushing  cassava,  while  the  girls 
pressed  plantains  into  a  paste  known  as  bisbire,  a 
very  palatable  article  of  food,  as  the  boys  after- 
ward learned,  and  one  which  will  remain  sweet  a 
long  while  when  formed  into  rolls  and  wrapped  in 
leaves. 

The  old  men  were  engaged  in  what  Dean  and  Roy 
believed  to  be  an  incantation  of  some  kind.  One  of 
the  number  had  brought  in  a  quantity  of  vines,  and 
when  these  had  been  bruised  with  stones  they  were 
placed  in  large  earthen  pots  over  a  fire,  the  Indians 
gravely  walking  around  them  meanwhile. 

"  What  is  going  on  there  ?"  Koy  asked,  curiously ; 
and  Tongla  replied,  as  if  the  matter  was  of  but  little 
consequence : 

"They  are  only  making  bequipe,  with  which  to 
catch  fish.  Some  of  the  young  men  have  gone 
down  the  stream  to  set  a  net-work  across,  and  this 
afternoon  fish  for  the  festival  will  be  taken." 

"Can  we  see  it?"  Dean  asked,  eagerly. 

"  I  will  learn  when  those  with  whom  I  swam  yes- 
terday return." 

With  the  exception  of  the  three  visitors  all  in  the 
village  worked  industriously  until  the  hour  for  the 
siesta,  and  even  this  time  of  repose  was  shortened 
materially,  for  the  bequipe  was  ready. 

It  was  yet  quite  early  in  the  afternoon  when 
every  occupant  of  the  building  went  toward  the 
stream,  and,  having  gained  permission  to  accom- 
pany them,  the  boys  followed, 

Fifteen  or  twenty  young  men  were  detailed  to  go 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  171 

up  the  river,  and  after  half  an  hour  they  reappeared, 
wading  in  a  line  stretched  entirely  across  from  bank 
to  bank,  beating  the  water  vigorously  with  long 
poles.  As  this  party  arrived  opposite  the  village 
the  contents  of  the  pots  were  emptied  directly  in  ad- 
vance of  them. 

The  beaters  continued  on  their  way  until  fish  of 
all  sizes  and  shapes  carne  to  the  top  of  the  water,  as 
if  dying,  and  the  entire  mass  was  swept  along  until 
it  seemed  as  if  they  were  packed  solidly  between 
the  banks  at  the  rude  dam  of  brush-wood. 

Now  men,  women  and  children  waded  in,  and  be- 
gan to  throw  the  larger  fish  on  shore,  not  ceasing 
the  labor  until  the  best  had  been  secured. 

These  were  carried  back  to  the  building  by  the 
women,  the  brush-wood  dam  was  removed,  and  the 
intoxicated  fish  were  allowed  to  drift  down  stream. 

"  There  isn't  much  sport  in  that  kind  of  fishing," 
Dean  said,  regretfully.  "They  have  killed  five 
times  as  many  as  were  carried  away." 

"  None  of  them  are  dead,"  Tongla  replied,  laugh- 
ingly. "  In  a  little  while — half  an  hour,  perhaps — 
they  will  be  all  right.  It's  only  a  big  drunk,  the 
same  as  you  can  see  here  to-morrow." 

"  I  shouldn't  think  they  would  be  good  to  eat." 

*  There  is  no  more  difference  in  the  taste  than  if 
they  had  been  taken  with  a  spear,  as  you  shall  learn 
in  the  morning.  We  will  go  back  with  the  men  or 
they  may  think  we  wish  to  run  away." 

During  the  remainder  of  the  day  cooking  was 
carried  on  by  wholesale,  and  yet  quite  as  much 
was  laid  aside  to  be  put  into  the  ovens  of  earth 


172  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

next  morning.  Tortillas  were  stacked  up  like 
monuments ;  rolls  of  bisbire  formed  a  veritable  hill 
in  front  of  the  building,  and  everywhere  were  pots 
of  ulung  placed  where  they  would  be  most  conveni- 
ent for  the  feasters. 

"  Are  you  certain,  Tongla,  that  there  are  to  be  no 
visitors  here  ?"  Dean  asked,  as  he  viewed  the  scene 
in  amazement. 

"No  one  will  come,  unless  the  followers  of  Kabul 
have  tracked  us  through  the  forest." 

"But  it  doesn't  seem  possible  that  these  people 
can  eat  all  this  stuff.  There  is  enough  here  for  a 
regiment  of  soldiers." 

"  The  Wool  was  make  beasts  of  themselves  at  the 
drinking  of  the  ulung,"  Tongla  replied,  gravely. 

There  was  no  council  held  on  this  night.  Every- 
one retired  early,  as  if  to  prepare  for  the  next  day's 
festivities;  and  the  guests,  or  captives,  whichever 
they  should  be  known  as,  would  have  remained 
seated  on  the  platform,  enjoying  the  cool  night-air, 
but  for  an  old  woman  who  ordered  them  into  their 
hammocks  without  ceremony. 

Tongla  made  a  laughing  reply  to  her  harsh  words, 
which  had  the  effect  of  mollifying  her  anger  decid- 
edly, for  she  actually  patted  him  on  the  shoulder  as 
he  passed  her. 

"  What's  the  trouble  now  ?"  Koy  asked,  when  they 
were  inside  the  rude  apartment. 

"  She  says  that  we  ought  to  sleep  a  long  while  in 
order  to  be  ready  for  the  festival,  and  I  told  her  no 
one  could  hope  to  equal  a  Woolwa  in  the  matter  of 
eating,  which  was  a  great  compliment." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  173 

It  seemed  to  the  boys  as  if  they  had  but  just  fallen 
asleep  when  the  beating  of  drums  caused  them  to 
spring  from  their  hammocks  in  alarm ;  but  the  in- 
stant he  was  on  his  feet  Tongla  appeared  ashamed 
for  having  allowed  himself  to  be  frightened. 

"  It  is  the  beginning  of  the  festival,"  he  said,  with 
a  laugh. 

"  But  it  isn't  daylight,"  Dean  said  in  surprise ;  and 
looking  at  his  watch,  Roy  replied  : 

"  Only  half -past  one.  At  such  a  rate  they  should 
have  begun  the  spree  last  night." 

"  This  is  the  boys'  part.  After  daylight  they  will 
be  forced  to  stay  outside  the  building  with  the 
women  until  the  dances  are  finished." 

The  beating  of  drums  continued  with  undimin- 
ished  vigor  until  nearly  sunrise,  and  then  were  min- 
gled with  the  discordant  noises  the  notes  as  of  a 
flute,  produced  by  a  hollow  reed  with  four  vents 

Now  the  older  members  of  the  tribe  appeared,  and 
as  if  by  magic  the  alleged  musicians  ceased  the  din. 
A  roll  of  bis  hire  was  given  to  each  person  by  way 
of  breakfast,  and  then  the  women  proceeded  to 
sweep  the  stone  floor  with  brooms  made  by  tying 
bunches  of  bushes  together. 

After  this  had  been  done,  and  when  the  golden 
rays  of  the  sun  were  just  appearing  above  the  hori- 
zon, the  old  men,  each  with  the  inevitable  torch  in 
his  hand,  formed  a  circle  in  the  center  of  the  build- 
ing, where,  to  the  monotonous  droning  of  the  reed 
flutes,  they  whirled  around  and  around  in  the  most 
grotesque  manner  until  forced  to  cease  from  sheer 
exhaustion. 


174  TBE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

When  the  last  had  seated  himself  on  the  floor  near 
the  family  "pens,"  or  had  been  thrown  there  be- 
cause of  his  too  violent  exertions,  the  younger  men, 
armed  with  lances,  ranged  themselves  in  two  lines, 
each  facing  the  other.  They  advanced  and  retreat- 
ed, brandished  their  weapons  while  the  drums  and 
flutes  were  pounded  and  blown  until  the  din  was 
terrific,  and  after  a  mimic  battle  had  been  fought 
all  the  late  combatants  joined  in  the  wildest  kind  of 
a  wild  dance. 

This  closed  the  early  morning  exercises,  and  with 
the  least  possible  delay  preparations  were  made  for 
the  more  serious  portion  of  the  festival.  On  the 
ground  about  twenty  paces  from  the  building,  near 
the  bank  of  the  stream,  plantain-leaves  had  been 
laid  down  to  form  a  table,  and  on  them  was  spread 
the  meat  cooked  during  the  previous  day. 

It  was  not  to  be  eaten  immediately,  however.  The 
excavations  which  had  been  made  were  refilled  with 
wood,  and  while  this  was  burning,  the  warees  and 
fish  were  wrapped  in  leaves,  preparatory  to  being 
roasted. 

Since  the  women  were  attending  to  this  portion  of 
the  work  the  male  members  of  the  tribe  lounged 
around  in  the  immediate  vicinity  as  if  enjoying  the 
sight  of  so  much  which  was  eatable,  and  the  white 
boys,  with  Tongla,  sat  on  the  edge  of  the  platform, 
to  repeat  once  more  the  plans  already  formed  for 
escape. 

u  As  things  are  going  now  we  sha'n't  have  much 
chance  of  getting  into  the  'pen'  without  being 
seen,"  Dean  said,  disconsolately. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  1?5 

"  We  do  not  want  to  make  a  start  before  evening, 
and  then  you  will  understand  how  easily  it  can  be 
done.  The  most  important  matter  is  to  learn 
whether  the  boat-keeper  has  come." 

"  I  saw  him  a  few  moments  ago,  just  before  the 
last  dance  ended,  and  he  had  all  his  family  marching 
behind  in  solemn  state." 

"  Then  they  will  not  return  to  trouble  us.  We 
must  join  in  with  the  boys  and  seem  to  be  enjoying 
ourselves." 

"  What  about  those  who  were  sent  out  to  watch 
for  the  Indians  from  the  ruins  ?"  Roy  asked. 

"They  are  yet  in  the  forest,  and  must  remain 
there." 

"  Some  may  be  down  stream,  where  we  shall  run 
right  into  their  arms." 

"There  is  no  chance  of  that.  Danger  cannot 
come  from  the  river.  We  have  only  to  fear  some 
of  the  men  have  been  instructed  to  remain  sober  in 
order  to  watch  us." 

"  In  which  case  we  should  stand  a  poor  chance  of 
getting  away." 

"There  is  no  need  to  seek  for  trouble.  Let  us 
walk  around,  and  avoid  talking  together  any  more 
than  is  necessary." 

As  he  spoke  Tongla  went  toward  the  boys  whose 
acquaintance  he  had  made,  and  the  white  lads  fol- 
lowed him,  feeling  decidedly  nervous  because  of  the 
bold  stroke  for  freedom  which  was  to  be  begun  so 
soon. 

There  was  very  little  to  do  or  see  just  at  this  time. 
Everyone  waited  impatiently  for  the  moment  when 


176  THE  TREAStlRE-FINDBllB. 

the  feast  should  be  spread,  and  each  was  so  intent 
upon  the  wonderful  gastronomic  feats  he  intended  to 
perform  that  conversation  could  not  be  indulged 
in. 

When,  however,  four  warees  roasted  nearly  whole 
and  fully  a  hundred  fishes  were  placed  with  the 
other  delicacies,  the  scene  changed  suddenly. 

The  old  man  who  had  welcomed  the  white  boys 
to  the  village  approached  the  nearest  pot  of  ulung, 
dipped  from  it  a  cocoa-nut  shell  full  of  the  liquid, 
and  as  he  raised  it  to  his  lips  a  general  rush  was 
made  for  the  other  pots  or  the  table.  In  the  twink- 
ling of  an  eye  every  person  except  the  prisoner- 
guests  was  eating  or  drinking  as  if  his  or  her  life 
depended  upon  swallowing  a  certain  amount  in  a 
given  time,  and  the  festival  had  really  begun. 

It  was  some  m  )ments  before  Tongla  and  his 
friends  were  able  to  get  the  smallest  portion  of  food ; 
but  they  succeeded  after  the  first  mad  scramble  was 
over,  and  when  their  hunger  had  been  appeased,  all 
three  went  to  the  building  to  watch  the  perform- 
ances from  the  elevation  afforded  by  the  stone  floor. 

The  entire  population  were  gorging  themselves  in 
the  most  ravenous  manner,  and  after  the  novelty 
wore  away  the  scene  became  disgusting. 

"  How  long  will  they  keep  this  thing  up  ?"  Koy 
asked. 

"  Until  it  is  impossible  to  eat  or  drink  any  more." 

"  Then  this  is  the  whole  of  the  festival  ?" 

"  The  whole  until  the  ulung  makes  them  so  drunk 
that  the  fighting  begins,  and  at  that  time  we  must 
take  good  care  to  be  out  of  the  way,  or  the  old  fel- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  177 

low  who  mistrusts  us  may  take  it  into  his  head  to 
settle  the  matter  with  a  blow  of  his  spear.  No  one 
is  punished  for  what  may  be  done  during  the  drink- 
ing of  the  ulung." 

"That's  a  cheerful  prospect  for  us,"  Dean  said, 
grimly ;  and  then  the  boys  watched  those  around 
them  in  silence  for  some  time,  until  Koy  asked, 
abruptly : 

"What  are  you  looking  for,  Tongla?" 

"A  drunken  man  or  boy." 

"  You  needn't  wait  long,  for  here  comes  one  of  the 
fellows  who  was  swimming  with  you,  and  it  is  about 
all  he  can  do  to  stand." 

Tongla  glanced  in  the  direction  indicated,  and 
then  ran  at  full  speed  toward  the  young  man,  who 
was  nearly  helpless  from  the  fumes  of  the  ulung. 

To  their  amazement  Eoy  and  Dean  saw  their 
friend  urge  the  fellow  to  have  more,  and  even  pre- 
tend to  drink  with  him,  after  which  the  two  entered 
the  building,  Tongla  half -carrying,  half -dragging  his 
companion  to  their  "  pen." 

"What  is  he  putting  him  in  there  for?"  Dean 
asked,  impatiently.  "  It  can  only  hinder  us  if  we 
see  a  chance  to  slip  away." 

Before  Roy  could  reply  the  Indian  boy  stood  be- 
fore them,  looking  triumphant  and  happy. 

"  Now  we  can  go  back  to  our  old  room.  If  the 
rightful  occupants  come  it  will  be  only  necessary  to 
say  a  man  is  in  ours,  therefore  we  returned  because 
acquainted  with  them.  It  is  time  to  dig  up  the 
golden  gods.  If  we  Avait  too  long  there  may  be  a 
drunkard  on  every  hammock." 


178  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

The  boys  understood  now  why  Tongla  had  in- 
duced the  Indian  to  drink  when  he  was  already 
nearly  stupefied,  and  literally  trembling  with  sup- 
pressed excitement,  they  followed  him  to  the  place 
where  the  treasure  was  secreted. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE  XIX. 

THE    FLIGHT. 

THE  FESTIVAL  was  now  at  its  height,  and  but 
little  attention  was  paid  to  the  white  boys,  so 
far  as  they  themselves  could  judge ;  but  on  mention- 
ing this  to  Tongla  as  they  walked  toward  the  "  pen  " 
where  the  idols  had  been  hidden,  he  said,  pointing  to 
the  merry-makers : 

"Do  you  not  see  that,  even  though  drunk,  the 
men  have  seated  themselves  in  such  a  manner  that 
to  leave  here  we  shall  be  obliged  to  walk  over 
them?" 

Koy  and  Dean  had  not  noticed  particularly  the 
manner  in  which  the  Indians  had  arranged  the  ta- 
bles of  leaves.  When  Tongla  spoke  they  saw  that 
the  feasters  were  seated  in  a  half-circle,  starting 
from  the  western  corner  of  the  building  and  end- 
ing at  the  eastern  extremity,  thus  preventing  any 
one  in  the  house  from  gaining  the  stream  without 
forcing  his  way  directly  through  this  chain  of 
drunkards. 

"  It  looks  like  a  mighty  slim  chance  for  running 
away,"  Koy  said,  after  gazing  at  the  scene  a  moment. 
"We  are  completely  hemmed  in,  and  they  must  be 
absolutely  insensible  before  escape  is  possible.  Since 
it  isn't  probable  the  women  and  children  will  get  in 
that  condition,  we're  likely  to  stay  here  a  long  while. 


180  THE 

However,  it  will  be  something  gained  if  we  get  the 
idols." 

"  The  festival  is  but  just  begun,"  Tongla  replied, 
with  an  expressive  gesture,  "  and  before  it  is  ended 
there  may  be  many  changes." 

By  this  time  they  were  at  the  apartment  where 
the  golden  gods  had  been  secreted,  and  there  was 
not  a  moment  to  be  wasted,  for  the  occupants  of  the 
room  might  put  in  an  appearance  before  the  work 
was  finished. 

Tongla  began  by  lowering  one  of  the  hammocks 
in  such  a  manner  that  the  rear  of  the  place  would 
be  screened  from  casual  observation,  and  then  said 
to  Dean : 

"Get  in  here  while  Eoy  and  I  raise  the  stones. 
Keep  careful  watch,  and  give  the  alarm  if  any  one 
comes  this  way." 

The  boy  obeyed,  and  his  companions,  each  with 
his  machete,  attacked  the  heavy  blocks. 

From  this  point  Dean  had  a  better  view  of  the 
feasters  than  while  on  the  floor.  The  men  were 
seated  as  has  been  said,  and  the  women  worked  in- 
dustriously, carrying  ulung  from  one  to  the  other, 
that  there  might  be  no  delay  in  getting  drunk, 
which  was  evidently  the  serious  work  of  the  day. 
Each  man  drained  his  gourd  instantly  it  was  handed 
him,  and  while  refilling  the  vessels  the  women  did 
not  neglect  to  take  their  full  share.  The  musicians 
worked  industriously,  bent  on  getting  noise  rather 
than  melody  from  their  instruments ;  and  in  a  short 
time  the  confusion  was  increased  by  the  feasters, 
who-  added  their  sharp  cries  to  the  general  din. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  181 

Before  Eoy  and  Tongla  had  finished  their  work, 
every  one  staggered  to  his  or  feet  and  began  a 
tipsy  sort  of  dance  around  the  table,  in  which  even 
the  children  joined.  Now  and  then  some  of  the 
party  would  indulge  in  what  was  probably  called  a 
song,  and  as  the  fumes  of  the  ulung  overcame  them, 
others  took  up  the  alleged  refrain,  to  prevent 
the  volume  of  sound  from  diminishing.  If  the  fol- 
lowers of  Kabul  had  been  in  the  vicinity,  the  inhab- 
itants of  the  village  might  have  been  vanquished 
with  but  little  difficulty. 

Dean  had  given,  in  a  low  tone,  all  the  particulars 
of  what  was  taking  place ;  and  while  the  frenzied 
dance  was  at  its  height  Koy  and  Tongla  emerged 
from  the  gloom,  the  perspiration  streaming  from 
their  faces,  but  looking  triumphant,  as  they  dis- 
played the  images  of  gold. 

The  Indian  boy  raised  the  hammock  to  its  former 
position,  and  then  led  the  way  with  all  speed  to 
where  the  drunken  Woolwa  lay  snoring  in  Hoy's 
swinging  bed. 

It  was  now  but  the  work  of  a  few  moments  to  se- 
crete the  idols,  and  the  little  party  had  another  op- 
portunity of  surveying  the  disgusting  scene.  The 
greater  portion  of  the  men  lay  on  the  ground  help- 
less, and  the  women  and  musicians  had  taken  their 
places,  but  without  any  pretense  of  dancing.  They 
were  gathered  in  little  groups  around  the  earthen 
pots,  each  drinking  as  rapidly  as  possible ;  and  even 
as  the  boys  watched,  the  last  one  fell  insensible. 

Of  all  the  tribe,  only  a  few  small  children  were 
in  possession  of  their  faculties. 


182  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  Now's  our  time,"  Dean  whispered ;  "  but  it's 
going  to  be  tough  traveling  at  noonday." 

"  We  shall  not  leave  here  until  after  the  sun  has 
set,"  Tongla  replied. 

"  But  by  that  time  all  hands  will  have  recovered, 
and  there'll  be  no  chance  of  getting  away." 

"After  lying  here  in  the  sun  a  few  hours  the 
effects  of  the  ulung  will  pass  off,  and  then  begins 
another  drunk,  for  no  Woolwa  lets  the  night  come 
on  this  festival  while  he  can  stand.  It  is  the  second 
time  of  intoxication  when  we  can  leave  without 
taking  very  much  risk.  By  going  now  our  flight 
would  be  discovered  in  two  or  three  hours.  If,  on 
recovering  their  senses,  they  find  us  here,  there  will 
be  an  end  to  any  suspicions,  and  we  can  feel  cer- 
tain of  having  a  ten-hour  start." 

"  But  suppose  some  of  the  party  don't  drink  any 
more  after  once  regaining  their  senses?" 

"  There  is  no  chance  of  that.  The  next  stage  will 
be  worse  than  this." 

It  seemed  to  Dean  that  it  would  be  safer  to  go 
while  they  were  certain  of  the  opportunity ;  but 
Tongla  was  really  the  leader,  and  he  made  no  fur- 
ther question. 

The  Indian  boy  had  yet  considerable  to  do  before 
he  was  ready  for  the  flight.  He  insisted  that  Eoy 
and  Dean  should  sit  at  the  entrance  of  their  "  pen," 
in  order  to  prevent  any  more  of  the  drunkards  from 
finding  their  way  into  it,  and  then  he  went  boldly 
out  where  the  field  was  strewn  with  Woolwas. 

Enormous  quantities  of  food  were  yet  remaining, 
and  from  the  collection  he  took  a  dozen  rolls  of  bis- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  183 

hire,  which  was  all  he  could  carry  at  one  load. 
Bringing  this  back  to  the  apartment,  he  returned 
for  a  smoked  leg  of  waree  and  two  fishes.  The 
third  excursion  yielded  an  armful  of  tortillas,  and 
the  food  supply  had  been  collected.  It  was  neces- 
sary these  things  should  be  stowed  in  such  a  man- 
ner that  they  could  be  conveniently  carried,  and 
Tongla  packed  them,  with  the  idols,  into  the  two 
sacks. 

"  It's  time  I  did  my  share  of  carrying  the  bur- 
dens," Dean  said,  as  he  saw  that  but  two  bundles 
had  been  made  up.  "  I  no  longer  have  any  fever, 
and  am  as  strong  as  when  we  started." 

"  You  will  have  a  full  share.  The  hammocks, 
cartridges  and  both  guns  make  as  big  a  load  as 
either  of  these.  We  shall  abandon  everything  else 
except  the  chocolate-pot,  which,  with  some  choco- 
late, I  am  to  take." 

The  boys  were  not  now  at  liberty  to  leave  their 
apartment  lest  some  of  the  less  intoxicated  might 
overhaul  the  baggage  or  take  refuge  there,  and  all 
sat  at  the  entrance  during  the  time  of  the  siesta, 
looking  out  upon  the  brutes  who,  with  faces  up- 
turned to  the  glowing  sun,  were  snoring  vigor- 
ously. 

It  was  quite  late  in  the  afternoon  before  the  first 
of  the  revelers  bestirred  himself  and  began  industri- 
ously kicking  or  shaking  his  stupefied  companions, 
until  all  were  seated  once  more  around  the  plantain- 
leaf  tables. 

Such  of  the  women  as  were  able  to  attend  to  their 
masters'  wants  passed  around  the  gourds,  and  in  a 


184  THE  TREASURER-FINDERS. 

short  time  the  orgy  was  in  full  blast  once  more. 
The  young  fellow  whom  Tongla  had  enticed  into 
the  boys'  "  pen  "  now  aroused  himself  sufficiently  to 
reach  the  feasters,  and  during  the  next  two  hours 
the  scenes  previously  described  were  re-enacted. 

Everything  was  in  readiness  for  the  attempt  at  es- 
cape. It  was  only  necessary  to  wait  until  an  oppor- 
tunity should  occur,  and  the  boys  sat  in  painful  sus^ 
pense  watching  narrowly  every  member  of  that 
brutish  party.  If  only  one  should  refrain  from 
drinking  too  much  the  plan  would  be  a  failure,  there- 
fore their  anxiety  can  readily  be  imagined. 

It  was  nearly  sunset  when  the  last  ulung-dr inker 
capitulated  to  the  insidious  foe,  and,  as  before,  none 
save  the  small  children  were  capable  of  locomotion. 
The  greater  number  were  plunged  into  a  profound 
slumber ;  but  here  and  there  some  fellow  sat  upright 
against  one  of  the  huge  jars,  staring  straight  before 
him,  and  Dean  pointed  them  out  to  Tongla. 

"  They  don't  show  any  signs  of  lying  down,  and 
before  long  some  of  the  others  may  awaken." 

uVe  have  nothing  to  fear  from  them,"  the  In- 
dian boy  replied.  "  Their  eyes  are  open,  but  not  to 
see.  It  is  time  to  go ;  gather  up  your  load  and  fol- 
low me." 

In  the  shortest  possible  space  of  time  the  fugitives 
were  ready,  and  Tongla  led  the  way  with  an  as- 
sumption of  carelessness  from  that  end  of  the  build- 
ing nearest  the  stream. 

Once  a  cry  caused  them  to  look  around  in  alarm ; 
but  they  continued  on  after  seeing  that  it  had  been 
uttered  by  those  in  a  drunken  stupor,  and  Tongla 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  185 

walked  at  a  slow  pace  until  they  were  sheltered  by 
the  thicket. 

"  Now  follow  fast,"  he  whispered.  "  Those  who 
were  watching  for  the  followers  of  Kabul  may  come 
in  from  the  forest  to  share  in  the  feast,  and  to  be 
caught  now  would  mean  speedy  death." 

There  was  no  necessity  of  reminding  the  boys  that 
they  were  yet  in  danger.  Neither  could  feel  that 
the  escape  was  an  accomplished  fact  until  many 
miles  separated  them  from  the  Wool  was,  and  both 
kept  pace  with  Tongla  as  he  ran  along  the  edge  of 
the  stream. 

Every  member  of  the  party  was  panting  and  al- 
most breathless  when  the  fleet  was  reached;  but 
there  was  no  time  for  rest,  and  the  Indian  boy  se- 
lected one  of  the  small  pitpans  as  the  craft  to  be 
taken. 

All  the  canoes  were  drawn  high  up  on  the  shore ; 
but  desperation  lent  the  fugitives  fictitious  strength, 
and  in  a  twinkling  the  little  vessel  was  in  the  water. 
It  had  been  hollowed  from  a  solid  piece  of  cedar,  the 
bottom  slightly  flattened,  and  the  sides  only  of  suf- 
ficient thickness  to  prevent  any  likelihood  of  their, 
being  crushed  in  by  too  sudden  contact  with  a  rock. 

Safety  demanded  that  the  craft  should  be  loaded 
with  care,  for  a  pitpan  has  an  awkward  fashion  of 
turning  bottom  up  at  the  slightest  provocation,  and 
Tongla  attended  to  this  matter  with  as  much  de- 
liberation as  if  they  had  plenty  of  time  at  their  dis- 
posal. 

"  Hurry !"  Dean  said,  impatiently.  "  At  this  rate 
the  entire  Tillage  will  be  sober  before  we  start," 


186  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  It  is  better  to  spend  a  few  moments  now  than 
run  the  risk  of  being  capsized  just  when  the  slightest 
accident  would  be  fatal ;"  and  Tongla  continued  his 
work  until  the  little  craft  was  properly  trimmed. 

Not  before  this  had  been  done  did  he  show  any 
sign  of  being  pressed  for  time.  He  directed  Eoy  to 
sit  in  the  bow,  stationed  Dean  amidships,  and  then 
running  to  the  boat-keeper's  hut  returned  with  four 
paddles. 

"  We  will  take  an  extra  one  in  case  of  accident," 
the  boy  said,  in  reply  to  Roy's  look  of  inquiry,  as  he 
seated  himself  in  the  stern  and  with  one  vigorous 
push  sent  her  toward  the  channel.  "We  are  to 
paddle  for  life,  and  the  labor  must  not  cease  until 
we  have  passed  the  next  village." 

The  boys  obeyed  with  a  will,  and  the  light  craft 
glided  over  the  waters  at  a  rate  that  promised  to 
defy  pursuit. 

Night  had  come ;  but  the  light  of  the  new  moon 
enabled  them  to  see  the  water-way  sufficiently  to 
avoid  any  obstacles,  and  no  one  spoke  until  fully 
half  an  hour  after  the  voyage  was  begun. 

"  If  they  don't  start  in  pursuit  of  us  before  morn- 
ing, we  stand  a  pretty  good  chance  of  getting  away," 
Dean  said,  with  a  long-drawn  breath  of  relief. 

"  The  current  must  be  running  at  the  rate  of  three 
miles  an  hour,  and  if  the  next  village  is  only  twenty 
miles  away  we  should  pass  it  a  little  before  mid- 
night ;  but  until  that  has  been  done  we  are  not  safe," 
Tongla  replied,  as  he  used  the  paddle  yet  more 
vigorously.  "There  must  be  no  thought  of  rest 
until  the  pitpan  is  well  down  the  river," 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  187 

"You  needn't  fear  our  wanting  to  let  up,"  Koy 
said,  with  a  smile.  "  Dean  and  I  are  too  eager  to 
reach  the  coast  to  waste  any  time  except  when  it 
can't  be  helped.  I  wonder  if  our  friends  at  the  vil- 
lage are  still  carousing  ?" 

"  Most  likely  all  are  as  when  we  left  them ;  but 
even  if  two  or  three  should  awaken,  they  will  not  be 
in  condition  to  know  whether  we  are  there  or  not." 

Then  came  another  long  interval  of  silence  during 
which  the  paddles  were  plied  incessantly,  Tongla 
steering  from  his  seat  in  the  stern,  and  all  keeping  a 
sharp  lookout  for  the  town  where  there  was  rather 
more  than  a  possibility  they  might  be  halted. 

"  We  didn't  bring  any  water,"  Dean  suddenly  ex- 
claimed, in  a  tone  of  dismay. 

"  Why  should  we,  when  it  is  only  necessary  to 
reach  over  the  side  in  order  to  get  a  drink.  The 
water  of  the  river  will  be  fresh  until  we  are  where 
the  tide  enters." 

"I  didn't  think  of  that,"  and  Dean  spoke  as  if 
ashamed  of  having  forgotten  that  they  must  be 
many  days  where  the  supply  of  liquids  would  be 
more  than  abundant. 

As  nearly  as  could  he  judged,  five  hours  had 
elapsed,  when  Tongla  uttered  a  warning  hiss  as  he 
silently  pointed  ahead ;  but  strain  their  eyes  as  they 
might,  the  boys  could  see  nothing.  The  moon  had 
long  since  passed  out  of  sight,  and  the  darkness  was 
most  profound. 

"  It  is  the  village,"  Tongla  whispered.  "  Take  in 
your  paddles,  and  do  not  so  much  as  move,  no  mat- 
ter what  happens.." 


188  TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"If  you  can  see  anything  resembling  a  building 
ahead,  your  eyes  must  be  like  an  owl's,"  Koy  re- 
plied, as  he  obeyed  the  command  and  peered  into  the 
darkness. 

At  the  stern  Tongla  dipped  his  paddle  only  now 
and  then,  when  it  was  necessary  to  force  the  light 
craft  to  one  side  or  the  other,  that  she  might  feel 
the  full  force  of  the  current,  and  before  many  mo- 
ments passed  both  Roy  and  Dean  could  see  a  faint 
gleam  of  light  on  the  left  bank,  which  betokened  a 
settlement. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  189 


CHAPTER  XX. 

THE    STORM. 

SO  FAR  as  could  be  told  in  the  darkness,  this 
town  boasted  only  of  a  single  building,  like 
the  one  just  left,  and  the  outlines  of  the  house  might 
be  fairly  discerned  by  the  faint  light  which  came 
from  the  smoldering  embers  of  half  a  dozen  fires. 
It  appeared  to  be  very  much  larger  than  the  other, 
therefore  it  was  reasonable  to  suppose  the  number 
of  inhabitants  was  greater. 

Tongla  managed  the  canoe  skillfully.  When  they 
were  directly  opposite  the  village  he  had  forced  her 
toward  the  right  bank,  where  the  shadows  cast  by 
the  foliage  would  prevent  her  from  showing  as  a 
dark  mass  against  the  lighter  water,  and  under 
cover  of  this  friendly  gloom  he  gently  urged  her 
forward  until  at  least  two  miles  separated  them 
from  the  town. 

"  Now  paddle,"  he  said  in  a  low  tone  to  his  com- 
panions. "  It  will  soon  be  morning,  and  we  must 
not  halt  within  ten  miles." 

"  Why  do  you  stop  at  all  ?"  Roy  asked,  in  sur- 
prise. "We  can  hold  out  for  twenty-four  hours, 
knowing  how  much  depends  upon  it." 

"  It  is  not  safe  to  sail  during  the  day.  We  do  not 
know  where  the  next  village  is  located,  and  it  would 
be  as  dangerous  to  be  seen  while  passing  as  to  meet 


190  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

any  canoes  coming  up  the  river.  We  must  remain 
in  the  forest  except  during  the  hours  of  darkness." 

"But  those  who  will  start  in  pursuit  of  us  can 
easily  paddle  further  in  one  day  than  we  shall  be 
able  to  during  the  night." 

"  If  they  should  pass,  we  must  remain  hidden  un- 
til the  canoes  have  come  back,"  Tongla  replied,  in  a 
tone  which  admitted  of  no  argument. 

When  they  had  taken  time  to  think  of  the  matter 
the  boys  understood  that  their  companion's  plan  was 
a  wise  one,  and  they  exerted  every  effort  to  send 
the  canoe  ahead  more  swiftly,  until  the  pale  gray 
streaks  in  the  sky  told  that  the  sun  was  about  to 
show  his  face  once  more. 

Not  until  the  day  had  fully  dawned  did  Tongla 
turn  the  pitpan's  bow  toward  the  shore ;  and  then 
he  said,  guiding  her  among  a  mass  of  overhanging 
foliage : 

"  There  can  be  no  danger  in  stopping  here.  I  will 
see  if  it  is  possible  to  take  the  canoe  out  of  the 
water." 

He  leaped  ashore,  was  lost  to  view  a  moment,  and 
then  returned  with  the  cheering  intelligence  that  no 
better  spot  for  a  temporary  camp  could  have  been 
found. 

"  Pass  me  the  packs,  and  then  we  can  manage  to 
lift  thu  pit  pan  without  leaving  any  traces,  by  pull- 
ing her  over  the  branch  of  this  tree." 

Ten  minutes  later  the  boys  were  lying  in  what  ap- 
peared like  a  natural  camp.  Five  gigantic  log  wood - 
trees  stood  in  a  circle,  their  limbs  draped  with  trail- 
ing vines,  and  in  the  very  midst  of  these  was  a 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  191 

cleared  space  about  ten  feet  in  diameter.  Here  the 
pitpan  lay,  with  the  provisions  stowed  under  her, 
and  by  a  few  skillful  strokes  with  his  machete  Ton- 
gla  had  made  an  aperture  in  the  foliage  sufficient  to 
admit  of  their  looking  out  upon  the  river. 

It  was  about  as  snug  a  place  as  a  party  of  fugi- 
tives could  have  desired,  and  for  the  first  time  since 
leaving  the  intoxicated  villagers  did  the  boys  feel  as 
if  they  were  really  free. 

"  If  it  wasn't  for  the  great  desire  to  get  home  as 
soon  as  possible,  I  could  content  myself  here  a 
week,"  Roy  said  in  delight. 

"  It  is  a  pleasant  resting-place ;  but  after  one  day 
you  would  wish  to  leave,"  Tongla  replied,  as  he  un- 
packed the  sacks  in  order  to  lay  out  the  food  for 
breakfast.  "  A  little  rain,  and  all  the  beauty  would 
be  gone.  Let  us  eat,  and  then  each  take  his  turn 
watching  while  the  others  sleep,  for  we  must  be  in 
condition  to  do  a  hard  night's  work." 

The  boys  were  very  hungry,  therefore  Tongla  was 
not  obliged  to  urge  them,  and  all  ate  heartily  of  the 
generous  store  with  which  they  were  provided. 

This  very  pleasing  duty  ended,  Dean  took  his  first 
trick  at  watching,  with  the  understanding  that  he 
was  to  keep  his  eyes  upon  the  river,  regardless  of 
the  attacks  of  mosquitoes  and  other  winged  pests, 
for  one  hour,  when  his  brother  would  relieve  him. 

Then  Roy  and  Tongla  laid  down  in  the  hammocks 
which  had  been  stretched  from  one  tree  to  another, 
and  the  sentinel  could  soon  hear  their  very  loud 
breathing,  telling  that  the  summons  for  sleep  had 
been  answered  quickly. 


192  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

When  half  an  hour  passed  Dean  saw  two  Indians 
paddling  up  stream  in  a  canoe,  and  he  realized  that 
but  for  Tongla's  forethought  they  would  have  been 
seen  by  these  fellows,  and  perhaps  chased  to  the 
next  village  below,  from  whence  escape  might  not 
be  possible. 

This  one  craft  was  the  only  sign  of  human  life  he 
saw,  and  when  his  time  as  sentinel  expired  he  called 
Roy. 

The  latter's  watch  had  but  just  begun,  and  Dean 
was  not  yet  asleep,  when  the  heavens  were  shrouded 
with  dark  clouds  as  if  in  a  twinkling,  and  Roy  had 
barely  time  to  cry  warningly  to  his  companions, 
when  a  thunder-clap  which  seemed  to  shake  the  very 
earth  crashed  out  the  Storm  King's  defiance.  The 
trees  were  shaken  by  the  hot  puffs  of  wind  which 
came  up  the  river,  and  the  air  suddenly  became 
heated  as  if  from  an  oven. 

Then  a  flash  of  lightning  which  was  almost  blind- 
ing, another  terrific  peal  of  thunder,  and  the  rain  de- 
scended in  torrents,  drenching  the  boys  thoroughly 
in  an  instant,  despite  the  partial  protection  of  the 
foliage.  From  that  moment  the  crashing  of  thun- 
der and  the  electric  glare  seemed  incessant.  It  was 
as  if  the  entire  heavens  had  been  rift  asunder,  and 
to  avoid  the  painful  light  Tongla  threw  himself  face 
downward  on  the  earth. 

The  boys  had  heard  of  the  violence  of  a  tropical 
storm,  but  until  this  moment  the  descriptions  they 
had  read  seemed  overwrought  and  unreal. 

This  conflict  among  the  clouds  continued  for  two 
hours  5  but  the  sun's  rays  could  not  be  seen  when  it 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  193 

was  ended.  The  atmosphere  appeared  to  be  more 
sultry  than  before,  and  both  Eoy  and  Dean  began 
to  suffer  from  raging  headaches. 

"  It  is  well  we  found  this  place,  for  we  are  to 
have  a  temporal,  and  here  we  may  be  able  to  rig  up 
some  kind  of  a  shelter." 

"What  is  a  temporal?"  Koy  asked,  with  a  look 
of  bewilderment. 

"  It  is  what  my  people  call  a  long  time  of  rain. 
It  may  be  a  week  before  the  sun  shows  his  face 
again,  and  we  must  remain  here 'until  it  is  ended." 

"Wet  as  we  are  now,  it  can't  make  much  differ- 
ence if  we  keep  on,"  Dean  said,  with  a  grimace.  "  I 
think  paddling  the  boat  would  be  a  relief  rather 
than  otherwise." 

"  It  is  not  the  rain  we  must  avoid,  but  the  wind, 
which  shifts  suddenly,  and  the  pitpan  would  soon  be 
overturned." 

The  boys  had  already  learned  that  when  Tongla 
made  a  positive  statement  there  could  be  little  doubt 
as  to  its  correctness,  and,  disheartened  at  the  pros- 
pect of  remaining  an  indefinite  time  so  near  those 
who  had  held  them  prisoners,  they  set  about  mak- 
ing such  preparations  against  the  storm  as  were 
possible. 

"  The  place  don't  look  nearly  as  inviting  as  it  did 
when  I  turned  in,"  Koy  said,  grimly,  "  and  I'll  take 
back  the  statement  that  I'd  be  willing  to  stay  a 
week,  although  we  may  be  obliged  to  do  so.  In  that 
time  the  Wool  was  can  do  about  as  they  please  with 
us." 

"  If  any  have  started  from  the  village  they  will 


194  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

return  at  once,"  Tongla  replied.  "  Those  who  know 
the  river  do  not  care  to  trust  it  during  a  temporal." 

"  Then  the  storm  will  be  a  sort  of  blessing  in 
disguise,  eh  ?" 

"  It  aids  in  our  escape,"  the  Indian  boy  said, 
gravely  ;  and  then  he  pushed  his  way  among  the  wet 
foliage  in  search  of  plantain-leaves  with  which  to 
build  a  shelter. 

It  was  not  a  difficult  task  to  find  that  for  which 
he  sought,  and  in  half  an  hour — before  the  rain  be- 
gan to  fall  again — a  huge  pile  had  been  brought 
into  the  clearing.  Now  Tongla  did  not  appear  to 
think  that  silence  was  necessary ;  he  used  his  ma- 
chete as  a  hatchet  in  felling  half  a  dozen  small  trees 
to  serve  as  posts  upon  which  to  raise  the  boat,  and 
afterward  chopped  into  pieces,  convenient  for  carry- 
ing, a  well-seasoned  log. 

The  pitpan,  turned  bottom  up,  was  raised  about 
three  feet  from  the  ground,  the  timber  set  in  apeak, 
and  at  the  back  Tongla  fastened,  by  means  of  vines 
and  brushwood,  the  broad  leaves,  something  after 
the  fashion  of  shingles  on  a  roof. 

It  was  a  poor  shelter  in  which  to  remain  several 
days ;  but,  as  Dean  said,  "  It  went  a  long  way 
ahead  of  nothing."  If  the  ground  had  not  already 
been  well  soaked  with  water  there  would  be  a  pos- 
sibility of  keeping  almost  dry  ;  but  as  it  was,  a  wet 
sponge  represents  very  fairly  the  floor  of  the  hastily 
constructed  camp.  To  improve  this  in  some  slight 
degree  plantain-leaves  were  spread  down  until  the 
whole  was  covered  reasonably  well,  when  Tongla 
built  a  fire. 


THE  TREASVRE-FItfl)ER£  195 

"  Ain't  you  afraid  the  smoke  will  be  seen  ?"  Roy 
asked,  in  surprise. 

"  There  will  be  no  one  here.  In  a  temporal  the 
Indian  prefers  to  remain  at  home,  for  the  river  is 
treacherous.  Can  you  find  something  with  which 
to  wrap  the  guns  ?  They  will  grow  rusty  if  it  is 
not  done." 

Another  plantain-leaf  was  the  only  thing  avail- 
able, and  with  both  weapons  in  a  green  covering 
they  were  hung  inside  the  pitpan,  the  three  gods 
being  suspended  in  the  same  place  by  a  piece  of  mo- 
hoe-bark  torn  from  the  sacks. 

Before  Roy  and  Dean  finished  their  work  in  the 
camp  a  cheery  fire  was  burning,  and  just  as  Tongla 
crawled  under  the  not  very  well  constructed  hut 
the  rain  began  to  fall — not  moderately,  as  one  might 
expect  in  the  case  of  a  storm  which  has  come  for  a 
long  stay,  but  in  torrents,  like  a  summer  shower. 

The  fugitives  were  fully  protected  from  the  wind 
by  the  gigantic-  trees  inclosing  their  camping-place, 
but  the  swaying  of  the  stout  branches  told  of  the 
gale  which  might  wreck  any  craft  exposed  to  its 
fury. 

"  We  shan't  have  this  fire  a  great  while,"  Roy 
said,  as  the  rain-drops  beat  the  flames  down  now  and 
then.  "It  won't  take  many  hours  to  soak  every- 
thing, and  there'll  be  no  fuel." 

"  I  only  hoped  to  dry  the  inside.  After  to-night 
we  must  do  without  such  a  luxury ;  but  it  will  not 
be  cold." 

There  was  no  longer  any  necessity  of  keeping 
watch,  and  during  the  earlier  portion  of  the  day  all 


196  THE  TREAStrnfi-FINi>fi&£ 

hands  indulged  in  the  much-needed  slumber ;  but  on 
awakening  to  find  the  fire  extinguished  and  the  rain 
still  descending  in  torrents,  a  sense  of  general  dis- 
comfort took  possession  of  the  party.  Tongla  tried 
to  make  them  more  cheerful  by  recalling  to  mind 
the  pleasing  fact  that  they  were  not  only  free,  but 
so  far  down  the  river  that  the  villagers  would 
hardly  come  in  pursuit.  There  was  very  much  to  be 
thankful  for ;  but  the  disagreeable  condition  of 
affairs  remained  unchanged,  and  no  one  could  even 
put  on  the  semblance  of  comfort. 

At  nightfall  they  ate  a  hearty  supper,  and  from 
that  time  until  sunrise  tried  to  sleep,  but  without 
much  success. 

Next  morning  the  storm  raged  with  the  same 
fury  as  when  it  commenced  ;  but  before  the  sun  set 
again  there  was  sufficient  to  cause  the  gravest 
anxiety.  The  river  had  begun  to  rise,  and  as  their 
camp  was  situated  hardly  more  than  six  feet  above 
its  natural  level,  there  was  every  prospect  they 
might  be  forced  to  seek  shelter  in  the  trees. 

To  cross  where  the  land  was  much  higher  would 
have  been  in  the  highest  degree  foolhardy ;  the  cur- 
rent  was  running  like  a  mill-race,  bearing  in  its 
course  huge  trees,  logs,  and  even  large,  half-stove 
boats,  to  meet  which  would  have  crushed  the  little 
pitpan  like  an  egg-shell. 

The  second  morning  found  the  water  within  ten 
inches  of  the  edge  of  the  bank,  and  yet  the  river  was 
rising.  There  appeared  to  be  no  indications  that 
the  storm  would  cease  on  this  day,  and  Tongla  did 
not  think  it  prudent  to  delay  any  longer  in  making 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  197 

provisions  against  the  time  when  the  shore  should 
be  submerged. 

Taking  off  the  loose  trousers  and  blouse  which  he 
wore,  thus  exposing  his  naked  body  to  the  storm,  he 
ascended  one  of  the  logwood-trees  to  learn  what 
might  be  done. 

"We  can  build  a  platform  among  these  large 
branches,"  he  shouted,  after  a  long  survey  of  the 
surroundings,  "  and  it  must  be  accomplished  before 
many  hours  have  passed,  or  we  shall  be  drowned 
out." 

"  That  means  we've  got  to  strip  and  go  at  it,"  Roy 
said,  with  a  laugh.  "  After  being  cooped  in  here  so 
long,  a  little  exercise  won't  hurt  either  of  us." 

The  boys  were  not  many  moments  in  preparing 
to  venture  out.  The  fact  that  there  would  be  no 
dry  clothes  to  put  on  necessitated  their  undressing, 
as  Tongla  had  done,  save  that  they  did  not  remove 
their  boots,  and,  with  the  machetes,  both  began 
hewing  such  small  trees  as  would  serve  to.  make  a 
platform. 

During  two  hours  they  worked  with  a  will,  and 
then,  carrying  plenty  of  vines  to  serve  as  ropes, 
Tongla  climbed  up  to  the  place  where  the  new  hut 
was  to  be  built,  the  others  passing  to  him  the  fruits 
of  their  labor  as  wood-choppers.  It  was  late  in  the 
afternoon  before  the  task  was  accomplished,  and 
then  the  river  had  begun  to  encroach  upon  their 
camping-place. 

A  reasonably  stout  platform  had  been  laid  from 
one  branch  to  another,  and  above  it  was  a  roof  which 
would  keep  off  a  portion  of  the  rain. 


198  THE  TREASURE  FINDERS. 

After  the  goods — not  forgetting  the  golden  idols- 
were  passed  up,  the  canoe  was  stood  on  end  against 
the  trunk  of  the  tree  and  bound  securely  with  vines, 
so  there  could  be  no  possibility  of  her  being  swept 
away. 

Then,  when  the  water  was  nearly  to  their  knees, 
the  boys  clambered  into  the  tree,  with  but  little 
prospect  before  them  of  continuing  their  journey  for 
several  days. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  199 


CHAPTEE  XXI. 

PURSUED. 

WHEN  the  boys  were  finally  in  the  lofty  camp, 
with  a  plentiful  supply  of  plantain-leaves  at 
hand  to  repair  whatever  damage  the  wind  might  do, 
Tongla  insisted  that  each  should  rub  the  other  until 
the  proper  circulation  of  blood  was  restored. 

For  this  purpose  he  twisted  the  hammocks  into 
the  smallest  possible  compass,  and  with  these  towels 
of  cord,  which  were  quite  the  reverse  of  soft,  the 
fugitives  scrubbed  each  other  until  every  fellow  was 
in  a  perfect  glow.  The  partially  dry  clothes  were 
then  put  on,  and  the  boys  cowered  in  one  corner 
of  the  poor  shelter  to  pass  the  night  as  best  they 
could. 

It  was  already  dark.  The  wind  howled  and 
shrieked  among  the  trees,  threatening  each  moment 
to  blow  from  its  fastenings  the  frail  roof,  and  below, 
the  water  could  be  heard  dashing  against  the  trunk 
of  the  tree.  The  river  was  no  longer  confined  within 
its  banks,  but  had  overrun  the  lower  portion  of  the 
country,  converting  it  into  an  inland  sea. 

"  If  any  heavy  objects  drift  this  way  the  canoe 
will  soon  be  crushed,"  Dean  said  in  a  loud  tone, 
that  his  voice  might  be  heard  above  the  roar  of  the 
waters. 


200  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  The  other  trees  will  prevent  any  accident  of  that 
sort,"  Roy  replied.  "  These  logwoods  form  a  natu- 
ral breakwater,  and  from  danger  of  that  kind  we  are 
safe.  My  fear  is  that  we  may  be  driven  out  of  this 
place  of  refuge." 

"  It  is  not  impossible,"  Tongla  said,  gravely ;  and 
then  he  let  himself  carefully  down  from  one  of  the 
branches  to  learn  the  condition  of  affairs. 

The  flood  already  covered  the  spot  upon  which 
they  had  been  encamped  to  the  depth  of  three  or 
four  feet,  and  the  rain  was  still  falling  furiously. 

He  returned  to  the  shelter  without  speaking,  and 
understanding  that  there  was  no  cheering  informa- 
tion to  be  imparted,  his  companions  refrained  from 
asking  any  questions.  They  feared  to  know  the 
worst. 

The  continued  moisture  had  affected  all  the  food 
save  the  bisbire.  The  fish  and  waree  meat  was 
spoiled  to  such  an  extent  that  they  did  not  take 
either  with  them  into  the  tree,  and  the  tortillas  had 
been  converted  into  a  sort  of  paste,  which  was  far 
from  pleasing  to  the  taste.  If  the  temporal  con- 
tinued two  days  more  they  would  be  without  food, 
and  while  the  surrounding  country  was  flooded  no 
more  could  be  obtained. 

Until  midnight  the  boys  were  in  a  most  wretched 
condition  both  mentally  and  bodily,  and  then  to 
their  inexpressible  delight  the  rain  ceased  to  fall. 
One  by  one  the  dark  clouds  floated  off  into  the  east, 
and  the  stars  shone  out  as  if  with  increased  brillian 
cy  because  of  having  been  screened  from  view  so 
long. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  201 

"The  storm  is  over!"  Tongla  cried  in  delight. 
u  To-morrow  the  sun  will  show  his  face  once  more, 
and  by  steering  with  great  care  to  avoid  floating  ob- 
stacles, we  can  resume  our  journey  as  soon  as  it  is 
light." 

"  I  thought  you  were  afraid  to  travel  in  the  day- 
time ?"  Roy  said,  in  surprise. 

"  That  was  before  this  flood  came.  Now  the  peo- 
ple living  near  the  river  will  have  plenty  to  do  try- 
ing to  save  their  property  and  we  need  not  fear." 

"What  about  the  danger  of  being  swamped  ?" 

"  Listen  !  Can  you  not  tell  that  the  wind  is  being 
hushed  to  rest?  By  morning  the  only  thing  to  fear 
will  be  such  objects  as  the  waters  have  swept  away, 
and  skill  with  the  paddle  is  needed.  The  river  runs 
much  swifter  than  before,  but  the  waves  are  sub- 
siding." 

Any  change  must  be  for  the  better,  and  the 
knowledge  that  they  would  be  on  their  way  to  the 
coast  in  a  few  hours  caused  the  boys  to  forget,  or  let 
pass  unheeded,  present  discomforts. 

Slowly  the  hours  went  by  until  the  gray  light  of 
day  appeared  in  the  eastern  sky ;  but  it  was  not  un- 
til the  sun  had  risen  that  they  could  distinguish  sur- 
rounding objects,  because  of  the  dense  foliage  which 
inclosed  them. 

When  it  was  possible  to  see,  the  prospect  was  far 
from  cheering.  The  entire  forest  appeared  to  be 
submerged,  and  fully  one-half  of  the  canoe  was 
under  water. 

Once  more  Tongla  threw  off  his  clothes,  and,  ma- 
chete in  hand,  leaped  down  from  the  tree  to  cut  the 


202  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

boat  adrift.  In  a  very  few  moments  this  task  was 
accomplished ;  and  then  he  righted  her,  bailing  out 
the  water  with  his  hat. 

The  day  gave  promise  of  being  excessively  warm. 
Already  the  heat  was  so  great  as  to  be  uncomfort- 
able, and  the  slightest  exertion  caused  the  perspira- 
tion to  flow  profusely.  The  fugitives'  clothing  was 
dried  on  their  bodies  as  quickly  as  if  subjected  to 
the  heat  of  an  oven,  and  the  hut  among  the  branches 
looked  really  inviting,  now  that  they  were  on  the 
point  of  leaving  it. 

The  guns  were  in  a  sorry  condition  ;  thickly  coat- 
ed with  rust,  one  might  well  have  believed  they  had 
lain  at  the  bottom  of  the  river  for  a  month,  and, 
with  nothing  in  the  shape  of  oil,  it  was  well-nigh 
impossible  to  clean  them. 

"  They  are  of  no  more  use  than  a  club,"  Eoy  said, 
as  he  took  them  from  the  plantain-leaves.  "  It  would 
be  a  good  deal  like  committing  suicide  to  discharge 
one ;  and  what  makes  the  matter  worse,  I  don't  see 
how  it  will  be  possible  to  get  them  in  working-order 
again." 

"  When  the  river  returns  to  its  proper  level  we 
can  shoot  some  animal  with  arrows,  and  the  fat  thus 
obtained  will  take  away  the  rust." 

"  I  guess  that's  about  the  best  that  can  be  done ; 
but  it'll  be  rather  tough  on  us  if  we  need  them  be- 
fore any  hunting  can  take  place." 

It  was  of  no  use  to  mourn  over  the  fact,  however, 
and  Eoy  laid  them  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  while 
Dean  lowered  down  the  now  scanty  stock  of  pro- 
visions. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  203 

The  day  was  hardly  more  than  an  hour  old  when 
everything  had  been  made  ready  for  departure. 
Tongla  took  his  old  seat  in  the  stern,  the  others 
were  stationed  as  before,  and  all  hands  pulled  at  the 
branches  or  pushed  with  the  paddles  until  the  little 
craft  was  out  of  the  forest. 

Once  where  the  influence  of  the  current  could  be 
felt  the  pitpan  was  whirled  down  stream  with  great 
rapidity,  turned  first  in  one  direction  and  then  an- 
other by  the  eddies,  until  it  seemed  certain  she 
would  be  capsized  before  the  voyage  was  well  be 
gun.  Tongla's  skill  as  a  helmsman  served  them  in 
good  stead,  and  after  some  sharp  work  he  succeeded 
in  heading  her  properly. 

"  We  must  paddle  now,"  he  said,  "for  unless  the 
pitpan  is  forced  on  faster  than  the  current  she  can- 
not be  guided." 

Koy  and  Dean  worked  manfully,  while  the  Indian 
boy  had  quite  as  much  as  he  could  do  to  steer,  and 
the  canoe  raced  toward  the  coast  at  the  rate  of  not 
less  than  six  miles  an  hour. 

That  the-  navigation  was  decidedly  dangerous, 
and  the  slightest  inattention  on  the  part  of  the 
helmsman  would  result  in  shipwreck,  could  be  told 
by  the  floating  objects  everywhere  around.  Here 
an  entire  tree,  whose  submerged  roots  or  branches 
threatened  to  overturn  the  frail  craft,  was  avoided 
only  after  the  most  violent  exertions  on  Tongla's 
part.  There  a  half-sunken  log,  drifting  sidewise, 
showed  itself  directly  ahead,  and  every  swirling 
eddy  threw  some  obstruction  in  the  fugitives' 
course. 


204  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  There'll  be  no  more  night-work  until  the  flood 
is  over,"  Eoy  said,  as  Tongla,  exerting  all  his 
strength,  sent  the  canoe  off  at  an  angle  in  order  to 
pass  clear  of  half  a  dozen  bushes,  large  enough  to 
swamp  the  voyagers.  "  These  things  couldn't  be 
seen  in  the  darkness,  and  the  trip  would  come  to  an 
end  before  it  was  begun." 

"  The  flood  should  mean  safety  for  us,"  the  Indian 
boy  replied.  "  Unless  they  know  why  we  are  go- 
ing down  the  river,  those  whom  we  may  meet  will 
not  try  to  stop  us,  and  the  coast  must  be  very  near 
when  the  waters  are  at  their  former  level." 

"What  is  to  be  done  after  we  arrive  at  Blue- 
fields  ?"  Dean  asked ;  the  rapid  pace  at  which  they 
Were  traveling  causing  it  to  seem  as  if  the  end  of 
the  journey  was  very  near  at  hand. 

"All  our  troubles  will  be  over  then.  We  shall 
find  an  American  Consul  there,  and  he  will  make 
the  necessary  arrangements  for  sending  us  home.  I 
don't  think  we  need  begin  to  worry  about  that  part 
of  the  journey  yet,  for  there  are  many  miles  be- 
tween here  and  the  coast." 

During  this  conversation  all  the  boys  were  work- 
ing vigorously,  and  Koy  had  hardly  ceased  speaking 
when  Tongla  said,  in  a  low,  sharp  tone : 

"  Paddle  now  for  your  lives.  Here  is  a  village, 
and  we  must  pass  it  before  the  men  have  a  chance 
to  shoot." 

Looking  up  quickly,  the  boys  saw  what  appeared 
to  be  quite  an  important  town.  It  boasted  of  four 
long  buildings  instead  of  one,  and  was  situated  on  a 
small  hill ;  therefore  the  rising  waters  had  done  no 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  205 

injury  save  to  some  fields  of  maize  near  the  bank. 
Judging  from  the  accommodations,  and  admitting 
that  each  house  had  as  many  occupants  as  the  one 
from  which  they  were  escaping,  it  was  reasonable  to 
suppose  there  were  three  or  four  hundred  people 
living  here — a  supposition  which  caused  Tongla  no 
little  uneasiness. 

"I  was  a  fool  to  think  all  the  villages  were 
flooded,"  he  said,  bitterly.  "There  is  nothing  to 
prevent  these  Indians  from  coming  in  pursuit,  since 
they  must  be  better  boatmen  than  I,  and  there  is  no 
lack  of  canoes." 

Fifty  or  sixty  pitpans  and  dorys  were  drawn  up 
on  the  bank  near  the  houses,  all  apparently  ready 
for  use,  and  even  Eoy  and  Dean  understood  that 
pursuit  was  probable.  They  were  near  enough  by 
this  time  to  see  a  crowd  of  men  and  boys  gazing  at 
them  intently,  and  there  seemed  little  chance  the 
strange  craft  would  be  allowed  to  go  past  without  a 
satisfactory  explanation. 

"  Do  not  pay  any  attention  to  them,"  Tongla  said, 
nervously.  "Paddle  with  all  your  strength,  but  try 
to  avoid  the  appearance  of  being  in  a  hurry." 

It  was  rather  difficult  to  obey  this  last  order ;  but 
the  boys  attempted  it  by  taking  a  longer  stroke  than 
usual,  and  refrained  from  gazing  at  the  town. 

Swiftly  the  little  craft  approached.  A  large 
throng  gathered  near  the  shore,  as  if  expecting  a 
landing  would  be  made,  and  when  there  was  no  evi- 
dence of  such  intention  after  the  pitpan  had  arrived 
opposite  the  settlement,  the  men  set  up  a  loud  shout, 
probably  intended  as  a  command  to  stop. 


206  ^-&0  TREASURE-FIN DE&S. 

Tongla  replied  in  his  native  tongue,  pointed  up 
stream  as  if  to  call  their  attention  to  something 
which  would  soon  be  seen,  and  then  sunk  his  paddle 
in  the  water  until  the  handle  bent  like  a  bow. 

"  What  did  they  say  ?"  Eoy  asked. 

"  I  do  not  know,"  the  Indian  boy  replied.  "  I 
have  told  them  the  followers  of  Kabul  were  close 
behind,  and  while  they  are  expecting  to  see  enemies 
we  must  force  the  pitpan  as  she  never  went  before." 

Down  the  river,  at  a  speed  which  caused  the  water 
to  boil  and  bubble  under  the  bow,  danced  the  little 
craft,  the  helmsman  running  her  dangerously  near 
the  drifting  logs  and  trees  rather  than  lose  time  by 
giving  them  a  wide  berth ;  and  when  two  or  three 
minutes  had  passed,  Tongla  said : 

"They  are  launching  five  of  the  largest  canoes, 
and  the  women  are  bringing  bows  and  spears  to  the 
men.  They  intend  to  chase  us  and  be  ready  to  fight 
the  followers  of  Kabul  if  any  appear." 

Roy  glanced  over  his  shoulder  for  an  instant,  and 
saw  that  his  companion  had  spoken  only  the  truth. 
Even  now  one  of  the  canoes,  in  which  were  six  men, 
had  pushed  off  from  the  shore,  each  of  the  crew 
bending  to  a  paddle,  and  with  such  odds  against 
them  the  pursuit  could  have  but  one  ending. 

"  How  long  will  it  take  them  to  overhaul  us  ?"  he 
asked,  speaking  as  if  the  sight  of  danger  had  sud- 
denly dispelled  his  fears. 

"  We  have  a  good  start,  and  may  keep  ahead  half 
an  hour,"  Tongla  replied,  thoughtfully.  "If  the 
forest  was  not  flooded  we  might  escape  by  landing 
on  the  opposite  side." 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  20? 

"If  we  had  delayed  to  clean  the  guns  properly 
they  could  have  been  stopped  at  once,"  Dean  said, 
regretfully.  "  Why  not  try  a  shot  as  it  is  ?" 

"  The  weapons  are  so  rusty  that  an  explosion 
would  be  almost  certain.  When  they  are  within 
arrow  range  and  we  can  see  no  possible  means  of 
escape  it  may  be  as  well  to  run  the  risk,  but  not 
now,"  Roy  replied. 

Another  backward  glance  showed  that  the  second 
canoe  had  started  in  pursuit,  while  the  other  three 
were  being  pulled  up  stream  to  intercept  those  who 
were  supposed  to  be  coming  down. 

"  Your  lie  has  saved  us  from  being  chased  by  all 
hands,  even  if  it  does  no  other  good,"  Koy  said, 
grimly.  "  With  but  one  of  the  guns  in  good  condi- 
tion we  could  make  a  big  difference  in  the  appear- 
ance of  affairs." 

"  I  have  my  bow  and  arrows." 

"That  is  true;  but  when  it  becomes  possible  to 
use  them  they  will  have  the  same  advantage." 

After  this  nothing  was  said  for  several  moments. 
The  boys  were  straining  every  muscle  in  the  effort 
to  keep  ahead,  but  were  already  tired  from  pre- 
vious labor,  while  the  pursuers  had  entered  the  race 
fresh. 

Nearer  and  ^nearer  came  the  big  canoe.  The  In- 
dians were  overhauling  their  intended  prey  rapidly, 
and  unless  something  happened  to  favor  the  fugi- 
tives the  chase,  would  soon  be  ended. 

"You  must  use  the  guns  now,  whatever  happens !" 
Tongla  said,  between  his  tightly -closed  teeth,  as  he 
saw  the  men  in  the  foremost  boat  fitting  arrows  to 


208  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

their  bows.  "  It  is  better  to  die  fighting  than  be 
carried  back  to  those  who  will  kill  us  slowly." 

"  Pass  the  guns  forward !"  and  Roy's  face  was  pale 
as  death.  "  I  will  try  the  first  shot,  and  if  the  bar- 
rels hold,  Dean  can  take  a  hand." 

Extracting  the  cartridges,  which  were  held  quite 
firmly  by  the  rust,  Roy  replaced  them  with  fresh 
ones,  and  said  to  Tongla,  as  he  knelt  in  the  bottom 
of  the  craft : 

"  Don't  pay  any  attention  to  me,  but  attend  to  the 
boat.  The  gun  will  probably  kick  badly,  if  nothing 
worse  happens,  and  you  must  guard  against  cap- 
sizing." 


Nearer  and  nearer  came  the  big-  canoe.    The  Indians  were  overhauling 
their  intended  prey  rapidly.— (See  page  207.) 


210  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

I 


CHAPTEE  XXII. 

STRATEGY. 

XCEPT  that  their  situation  seemed  about  as 
-L- -f  desperate  as  it  well  could  be,  Roy  would  not 
have  thought  of  discharging  his  gun  while  in  such  a 
rusty  condition.  Now,  however,  it  appeared  to  be 
the  only  hope,  for  if  it  did  not  explode,  the  pursuers 
might  be  kept  at  a  distance. 

Kneeling  on  the  bottom  of  the  boat,  with  the 
weapon  resting  upon  the  rail,  he  took  careful  aim ; 
but  before  it  was  possible  to  press  the  trigger  an 
exclamation  of  delight  burst  from  Tongla's  lips,  and 
Roy  looked  quickly  up  to  learn  the  cause. 

A  short  distance  ahead,  on  the  right  bank  of  the 
river,  was  a  small  but  very  swift  stream  which  ran 
off  at  an  angle  as  if  connecting  with  some  other 
body  of  water,  and  the  Indian  boy  said,  as  he  worked 
the  paddle  yet  more  vigorously  to  force  the  pitpan's 
bow  into  this  new  channel : 

"  Do  not  take  the  risk  of  firing  yet.  This  stream 
is  so  shoal  that  the  other  boats  cannot  follow,  and  we 
may  escape." 

"But  if  it  leads  into  the  river  again  at  a  point 
further  down,  as  seems  to  be  the  case,  we  shall  only 
find  ourselves  in  a  trap." 

"  You  will  at  least  have  time  to  get  the  guns  in 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  211 

working  order,  and  with  them  we  can  beat  those 
Indians  off," 

"You're  right!"  Roy  exclaimed  joyfully;  and, 
dropping  his  weapon,  he  seized  a  paddle,  using  it 
with  such  energy  that  the  light  craft  was  soon  enter- 
ing this  new  water-way,  while  the  pursuers  were 
not  yet  within  range. 

A  shout  of  triumph  from  the  occupants  of  both 
the  large  crafts  told  that  Roy's  surmises  were  cor- 
rect. At  some  place  well  known  to  the  enemy  the 
stream  probably  found  its  way  into  the  river  again, 
and  the  boys  would  be  shut  in  completely. 

Tongla  did  not  look  at  all  disturbed  when  the 
canoes  were  paddled  straight  on  without  so  much  as 
an  effort  to  prevent  the  fugitives  from  thus  making 
a  detour,  and  Dean  cried,  bitterly  : 

"  We  might  just  as  well  have  surrendered  at  once, 
for  now  the  game  is  over." 

The  Indian  boy  made  no  reply.  This  small  water- 
way ran  through  high  land  which  was  not  yet  sub- 
merged, and  when  they  were  a  dozen  yards  from  the 
mouth  he  headed  the  light  craft  for  the  shore  at  a 
point  where  a  clump  of  palm-trees  grew  close  by  the 
edge  of  the  stream. 

"  What  are  you  stopping  here  for  ?"  Eoy  asked, 
impatiently. 

"  You  shall  see,"  was  the  reply,  as  Tongla  sprung 
ashore,  pulling  the  pitpan  high  up  on  the  bank. 
"  Come  with  your  machetes  and  help  me  chop  down 
these  palms." 

"  If  anything  of  that  kind  is  to  be  done  we  should 
work  from  the  other  end,  wher,e  the  men  will  try  to 


THE  TllfiASURE-FINDERS. 

ascend.     This  will  only  result  in  shutting  ourselves 
up  more  completely  than  before." 

"  There  is  no  time  to  talk.  Try  my  plan  and  all 
may  be  well.  Delay,  and  they  are  certain  to  take 
us  prisoners." 

While  speaking  Tongla  had  begun  to  chop  at  one 
of  the  trees  with  feverish  energy,  and  Roy  did  not 
wait  longer.  He  remembered  that  thus  far  the  In- 
dian boy  had  suggested  nothing  which  did  not  result 
favorably  for  them,  whgreas  he  and  Dean  had  often 
found  themselves  mistaken,  therefore  he  urged  his 
brother  to  make  haste  by  crying,  sharply : 

"Turn  to,  here,  Dean.  One  poor  plan  well  car- 
ried out  is  better  than  two  or  three  half-done." 

At  the  end  of  ten  minutes  there  was  a  regular 
bridge,  formed  by  six  palm-trees,  stretched  across  the 
stream,  and  Tongla  got  into  the  boat  again,  urging 
the  others  to  follow  without  delay. 

"  I  will  paddle  while  you  clean  the  guns  as  well 
as  possible ;  but  do  not  speak  nor  make  any  noise." 

"  If  you  are  going  to  keep  on  down  the  stream  it 
looks  very  much  as  if  we  were  doing  our  best  to  run 
into  that  crowd.     They'll  surely  come  up  if  we  don't 
show  ourselves  at  the  other  end." 
,  "  I  hope  so ;  and  now  remain  silent." 

By  observing  the  formation  of  the  land  Tongla 
could  get  a  pretty  good  idea  of  how  near  the  river 
might  be,  and  while  the  boys  hurriedly  swabbed  the 
barrels  of  their  guns  with  wet  handkerchiefs  tied  to 
the  ramrods,  he  kept  the  pitpan  in  the  outer  edge  of 
the  current,  where  it  would  be  possible  to  land  with- 
out delay  at  any  moment. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  213 

Once  during  this  queer  voyage  Roy  raised  his 
head  as  if  to  speak,  but  a  warning  gesture  from  the 
helmsman  caused  him  to  remain  silent,  although  he 
felt  positive  the  boy  was  making  a  fatal  mistake. 

Half  an  hour  passed.  The  high  land  was  sloping 
down  toward  the  natural  level  of  the  river  beyond, 
and  again  the  canoe  was  turned  toward  the  shore 
at  a  point  where  the  foliage  was  thickest. 

"  Get  out,"  Tongla  whispered,  as  he  ran  the  pitpan 
among  the  leaves  and  vines ;  and  when  Roy  and 
Dean  had  obeyed  he  followed,  pulling  the  little  craft 
entirely  on  the  land. 

When  this  was  done  he  crouched  among  the  tan- 
gled vegetation,  forcing  his  companions  to  do  the 
same,  and  remained  silent  and  motionless. 

"  This  is  the  most  senseless  proceeding  I  ever 
knew  him  to  be  guilty  of,"  Roy  said  to  himself. 
"  He  must  think  those  fellows  are  fools  if  we  can  re- 
main here  hidden  very  long.  Soon  all  the  men  in 
the  village  will  be  hunting  us  out  like  rabbits  in  a 
clover-patch;"  and  he  would  have  spoken  his 
thoughts  if  Tongla  had  not  pressed  one  hand  over 
his  mouth. 

While  he  tried  to  release  himself  the  noise  of  pad- 
dles was  heard,  and  he  ceased  struggling  as  both 
canoes  passed  on  up  the  stream  at  full  speed,  the  oc- 
cupants taking  no  heed  as  to  whether  they  might  be 
heard  by  their  intended  victims. 

When  the  foremost  craft  was  directly  opposite 
the  boys'  place  of  concealment  she  was  hailed  by 
those  in  the  rear,  and  Tongla  looked  decidedly  happy 
when  he  heard  the  reply. 


214  THE  TREASURE -FINDERS. 

Then  the  boats  passed ;  but  the  Indian  boy  did 
not  so  much  as  move  for  ten  minutes,  when  he  whis- 
pered to  Roy : 

"  Do  you  think  the  guns  can  be  used  now  ?" 

"  It  will  be  possible  to  fire  three  or  four  rounds 
without  any  danger." 

"  Come ;  and  work  as  you  never  worked  before. 
This  lot  of  palms  are  to  be  cut  down,  as  were 
the  others,  and  the  falows  must  be  delivered 
quickly." 

Even  now  neither  Eoy  nor  Dean  understood  what 
their  companion  hoped  to  effect ;  but  this  ignorance 
did  not  prevent  them  from  obeying  the  orders  with 
the  utmost  haste. 

Near  where  the  pitpan  had  been  dragged  ashore 
stood  a  veritable  thicket  of  palms,  and  here  Tongla 
pursued  the  same  tactics  as  before.  Wielding  the 
machetes  with  a  celerity  which  would  have  been  im- 
possible under  other  circumstances,  they  felled  five 
trees  of  such  size  that  the  stream  was  spanned,  and 
the  butts  and  tops  extended  some  distance  in-shore 
on  either  side. 

"Now  quick,  and  we  are  off!"  Tongla  cried, 
ceasing  work  only  when  the  voices  of  the  enemy 
could  be  heard  a  short  distance  above.  "  We  can 
carry  the  pitpan  around  the  bridge." 

The  little  craft  was  not  heavy,  and  the  three  boys 
made  short  work  of  the  task.  Before  those  who 
were  returning  down  the  stream  had  appeared  in 
view  the  boat  was  in  the  water  once  more,  and 
Tongla  said,  as  he  took  his  old  seat  in  the  stern : 

"  Shove  off,  Roy,  and  then  sit  in  the  middle  with 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  215 

your  gun  ready  for  use.  Dean,  paddle  the  best  you 
know  how." 

"  But  those  fellows  can  bring  their  boats  through 
the  woods  exactly  as  we  did,"  Eoy  said,  as  he 
obeyed  ;  and  the  light  craft,  under  the  impulse  of 
both  the  oar  and  the  current,  dashed  on  down  the 
stream  like  a  feather  on  a  mountain  torrent. 

"  Their  boats  are  too  heavy  and  too  large  to  be 
carried  as  this  was,"  Tongla  replied,  in  a  tone  of 
satisfaction.  "  It  would  be  impossible  to  get  them 
between  the  trees,  and  our  bridges  must  be  cleared 
away  before  they  can  get  out.  I  was  afraid  they 
might  work  at  the  first  obstruction  we  made,  but 
that  was  not  done,  and  it  will  be  many  minutes  be- 
fore the  chase  can  be  continued." 

"Why  am  I  sitting  here  instead  of  paddling  1" 

"Look  ahead — near  where  the  stream  joins  the 
river.  There  were  only  five  men  in  each  of  the 
boats,  and  the  crews  numbered  six  when  they 
left  the  village.  By  counting  I  knew  two  had  been 
landed,  to  make  sure  we  didn't  double  back,  and 
also  to  shoot  from  the  bank  when  we  came  past. 
Hold  your  gun  ready  to  fire,  and  I  will  hail  the  sen- 
tinels." 

Hoy  could  see  the  Indians  near  the  water's  edge, 
preparing  to  send  their  arrows  aboard,  and  looking 
decidedly  surprised  at  seeing  the  boys,  when  it  was 
probably  not  thought  possible  they  could  pass  the 
other  boats  without  being  captured. 

Tongla  shouted  a  few  words  in  a  warning  tone  as 
the  pitpan  came  within  hailing  distance,  and  to  the 
surprise  of  both  Dean  and  Roy  the  men  lowered 


216  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

their  weapons  submissively,  making  not  so  much  as 
a  threatening  gesture. 

"  Now  take  up  the  paddle  and  work,"  the  Indian 
boy  cried,  when  they  were  in  the  river  once  more. 
"  If  we  can  hold  out  to  do  our  best  for  half  an  hour, 
the  danger  will  be  over." 

"  I'll  guarantee  to  jump  at  it  twice  as  long  as  you 
wish.  A  trick  like  that  prevents  a  fellow  from 
feeling  tired;  but  what  did  you  say  to  those 
men  ?" 

"  I  told  them  you  had  the  iron  which  shoots 
twice,  and  promised  that  both  should  be  killed  if 
they  raised  their  bows.  The  gun  could  be  seen,  so 
the  threat  had  some  influence,  and  their  fears  settled 
the  rest.  They  must  have  thought  the  gods  were 
with  us  if  we  could  come  down  the  stream  without 
being  taken  prisoners  by  the  ten  who  went  in  the 
same  direction." 

"The  whole  thing  was  done  mighty  well,  and 
after  this  I'll  never  stop  to  ask  a  question,  whatever 
you  may  attempt  to  do,"  Roy  said,  with  a  laugh. 
"  I  couldn't  see  any  way  out  of  what  looked  like  a 
regular  trap,  and  thought  you'd  suddenly  lost  your 
senses." 

"It  wasn't  certain  the  plan  would  succeed.  If 
their  canoes  had  been  smaller,  if  one  boat-load  had 
stayed  near  the  mouth  of  the  stream  instead  of  land- 
ing those  men,  or  if  they  had  not  paddled  up  so  far, 
we  should  have  failed.  It  was  a  chance  only,  but 
turned  in  our  favor." 

"  What  if  it  had  failed  ?" 

"  We  could  have  carried  the  canoe  across  the  land 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  21? 

to  the  river,  and  during  the  march  found  some  game 
which  would  have  yielded  fat  enough  to  clean  your 
guns,  and  then  put  off  at  the  most  favorable  mo- 
ment. This  was  the  best,  for  we  will  be  nearly  out 
of  sight  when  they  get  past  the  logs." 

"  I  should  say  it  was  the  best,"  Dean  replied,  with 
a  laugh.  "  We  shut  them  up  like  cows  in  a  pasture, 
and  then  walked  off  in  great  shape." 

"  It  is  not  certain  yet  that  we  shall  be  able  to 
walk  very  far,"  Tongla  replied,  as  if  he  feared  his 
companions  were  boasting  too  soon.  "  If  we  are  a 
long  distance  ahead  when  they  come  out,  the  chase 
may  be  abandoned." 

This  was  a  delicate  hint  that  they  should  not 
spend  their  breath  talking  when  it  was  necessary 
every  nerve  must  be  strained  to  send  the  pitman 
ahead,  and  the  white  boys  so  understood  it,  for 
neither  spoke  again  until  fully  half  an  hour  had 
passed,  when  Tongla  finally  said,  in  a  tone  of  re- 
lief: 

"We  can  afford  to  rest,  now  that  it  is  so  near 
noon.  The  enemy  are  not  in  sight,  and  it  seems 
certain  they  have  returned  to  the  village." 

"It's  time  we  slacked  up  a  little,  for  I  have 
paddled  until  it  seems  as  if  my  arms  would  drop 
off ;"  and  then  Dean  made  haste  to  add :  u  I'm  will- 
ing to  work  a  good  while  longer,  though,  so  that  we 
are  headed  for  the  coast." 

"  But  you  won't  get  much  chance  to  rest,  Tongla," 
Eoy  said,  as  he  and  his  brother  threw  down  their 
paddles,  while  the  former  was  forced  to  work  nearly 
as  hard  as  before  in  order  to  avoid  the  many 


218  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

obstacles  in  the  way.  "Don't  you  believe  we'd 
better  haul  up  awhile  ?" 

"I  was  thinking  to  do  so.  "We  need  food,  and 
grease  enough  for  the  guns  ;  therefore  when  a  spot 
not  yet  submerged  is  found,  we  will  take  our  siesta." 

For  such  an  opportunity  the  voyagers  had  not 
long  to  wait.  Within  half  an  hour  from  the  time 
Hoy  and  Dean  ceased  paddling,  the  canoe  was  oppo- 
site a  long  stretch  of  high  land,  and  the  helmsman 
headed  her  for  the  shore. 

In  case  the  Indians  whom  they  had  left  should  be 
in  pursuit,  and  also  in  case  boats  might  come  from 
below,  the  pitpan  was  lifted  out  of  the  water  and 
carried  into  the  thicket,  Tongla  returning  to 
erase,  so  far  as  possible,  the  footprints  from  the 
bank. 

Nothing  was  done  toward  making  a  camp  save  to 
sling  the  hammocks.  The  tortillas  were  spread  out 
in  the  sun  to  dry,  the  golden  idols  were  hung  against 
a  tree  as  if  they  also  needed  the  sunlight,  and  then 
all  hands  laid  down  without  the  formality  of  stand- 
ing watch. 

The  river  was  now  so  broad  that  one  boat  could 
no  longer  block  the  passage,  and  whether  a  craft 
passed  up  or  down  Tongla  determined  to  resume 
the  journey  after  the  weapons  were  in  order,  trust- 
ing that  it  would  be  possible  to  fight  their  way 
through. 

Believing  they  were  safe  for  the  time  being,  the 
fugitives  gave  themselves  up  to  the  sweet  repose  of 
sleep. 

It  was  four  o'clock  before  either  awakened,  and 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  219 

five  minutes  later  everything  was  in  readiness  for 
the  hunt  which  Tongla  proposed  to  make. 

At  first  Koy  insisted  that  he  and  Dean  should 
accompany  him :  but  the  Indian  objected,  because 
one  must  be  left  in  charge  of  the  boat  and  treasure. 
Therefore,  after  a  short  discussion,  he  set  out  alone. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

HUNTING. 

TONGLA  was  not  long  absent  from  the  encamp- 
ment. Before  his  companions  thought  it  pos- 
sible that  he  had  reached  a  spot  where  game  might 
be  found  he  returned  with  four  fat  quail,  and  imme- 
diately proceeded  to  cover  them  with  mud,  prepara- 
tory to  baking. 

"There  is  plenty  of  game  here,"  he  said.  "By 
spending  one  day  enough  can  be  shot  to  keep  us  in 
food  until  we  arrive  at  the  coast,  and  it  would  be 
wise  to  take  our  provisions  now  while  there  is 
time." 

"Do  you  think  it  is  safe  to  stay  so  near  those 
whom  we  outwitted  ?"  Roy  asked,  anxiously. 

"  They  will  think  we  have  kept  on,  and  it  may  not 
be  possible  to  iind  another  place  so  good  as  this. 
The  villages  are  nearer  together  as  we  approach 
the  sea,  and  we  shall  not  dare  to  stop  at  any  of 
them." 

"  Do  as  you  choose ;"  and  Roy  laughed  to  think  he 
should  so  soon  have  forgotten  his  promise.  "  I  said 
I  never  would  question  again  what  you  might  do, 
and  here  I  am  at  the  same  trick  within  a  few  hours 
after  you  got  us  out  of  the  scrape  so  nicely." 

"  We  can  stay  until  food  for  the  trip  has  been  se- 
cured, and  each  moment  the  flood  will  grow  less. 


THE  TREASVRE-FINDERS.  221 

By  to-morrow  night  it  should  be  safe  to  go  down 
the  river  after  dark." 

There  was  no  further  discussion  on  the  subject, 
and  while  Tongla  dug  the  hole  which  was  to  serve 
as  oven  his  companions  put  up  a  slight  roof  of 
plantain-leaves  over  the  hammocks  to  protect  them 
from  the  dew. 

The  fugitives  were  not  so  bold  as  to  build  a  fire 
while  it  was  yet  light,  and  when  the  former  work 
had  been  completed  the  Indian  boy  proposed  a  reg- 
ular hunting  excursion. 

"  It  is  not  here  as  it  was  in  the  forest  before  we 
reached  the  river,"  he  said.  "  The  vegetation  is 
less  dense,  and  this  headland  is  surrounded  by  water, 
so  there  can  be  no  chance  of  losing  our  way." 

"  Then  we'll  both  go  with  him,"  Dean  said,  ex- 
cited by  the  prospect  of  a  hunt,  even  though  they 
were  yet  in  such  peril. 

"The  guns  must  not  be  used,"  Tongla  replied; 
"  but  there  is  nothing  to  prevent  your  coming.  We 
can  put  the  boat  and  the  golden  gods  out  of  sight. 
It  will  be  better  so,  although  I  do  not  believe  any 
one  is  likely  to  come  until  the  river  is  lower." 

The  pitpan  was  dragged  into  a  clump  of  bushes, 
the  idols  were  hidden  beneath  a  fallen  tree,  the 
guns  concealed  in  the  same  place,  and  the  little  party 
started  toward  the  middle  of  the  headland,  where 
Tongla  declared  game  would  be  found  in  great 
abundance. 

Before  they  had  walked  twenty  yards  the  Indian 
boy  stopped,  and  said,  as  he  pointed  straight  ahead, 
with  a  look  of  satisfaction : 


222  THE  TREASURE  FINDERS. 

"  There  is  a  cabbage-palm ;  to-morrow  we  shall 
have  vegetables  with  our  meat." 

"  I  don't  understand  how  you  are  going  to  get 
them  here,  no  matter  what  kind  of  a  palm  that  is," 
Hoy  replied,  laughingly. 

"  You  will  see  in  the  morning ;"  and  before  Ton- 
gla  could  say  any  more  a  covey  of  what  Dean 
thought  were  red  partridges  settled  with  a  great 
whirring  of  wings  among  the  undergrowth,  a  short 
distance  in  advance  of  the  hunters. 

Motioning  for  his  companions  to  follow  his  ex- 
ample, the  Indian  crept  cautiously  ahead,  under 
cover  of  the  vines  and  plants,  until  the  birds  could 
be  seen  feeding  upon  a  small  red  berry  or  plum, 
which  grew  at  that  particular  place  in  great  abund- 
ance. 

Dean  and  Eoy  saw  their  companion  fit  an  arrow 
to  his  bow,  draw  it  to  the  very  tip,  and  an  instant 
later  one  of  the  birds  lay  dead,  with  not  so  much  as 
a  flutter  of  its  wings. 

The  others  in  the  covey  did  not  appear  to  take 
any  notice  of  this  sudden  death,  and  five  times  Ton- 
gla  drew  his  bow,  a  bird  falling  at  each  shot,  before 
the  stupid  partridges  were  sufficiently  alarmed  to  fly 
away; 

"  At  this  rate  we  shall  be  ready  to  leave  here  in 
the  morning  if  we  feel  so  disposed,"  Dean  cried,  joy- 
fully, as  he  gathered  up  the  game.  "  A  bow  and 
arrow  goes  way  ahead  of  a  gun,  and  we  must  prac- 
tice with  them,  Eoy." 

The  Indian  boy  showed  no  signs  of  pride.  That 
he  should  hit  the  mark  at  such  short  range  was 


THE  TREASVRE-FINDERS.  223 

nothing  more  than  natural,  according  to  his  ideas, 
and  this  sort  of  hunting  was  very  tame  sport. 

Dean  ran  back  to  the  encampment  with  the  spoils 
of  the  chase,  after  the  arrows  had  been  removed, 
and  when  the  first  fruits  of  the  excursion  had  been 
deposited  in  the  pitpan  the  three  pushed  on  further 
into  the  thicket. 

Five  minutes  later  two  fat  curassows  were  added 
to  the  list,  and  then  Tongla  saw  that  which  caused 
an  expression  of  joy  to  come  upon  his  face. 

It  was  nothing  more  than  a  well-beaten  path 
among  the  bushes,  and  covered  with  queer ly-shaped 
footprints;  but  after  examining  them  closely  the 
Indian  said,  in  a  tone  of  most  intense  satisfaction : 

"  The  road  has  been  made  by  a  tapir ;  now  there 
will  be  no  lack  of  meat,  and  we  need  not  waste  our 
time  killing  birds." 

"  I  don't  see  how  you  figure  that  any  time  has 
been  wasted,  when  we  have  got  game  enough  al- 
ready to  provide  us  with  food  sufficient  to  last  three 
or  four  days,"  Koy  replied.  "  According  to  my  way 
of  thinking,  it  has  been  a  very  successful  hunt  even 
if  we  don't  get  anything  more." 

"  But  we  shall  have  a  tapir,  which  is  better  than 
all  I  have  shot.  You  must  help  me  to  chop  down 
some  of  these  trees.  They  will  check  him,  and  with 
the  spears  he  can  soxm  be  killed." 

"Have  we  got  to  build  a  regular  pen?"  Dean 
asked,  fancying  the  labor  might  be  too  great  a  price 
to  pay  for  a  single  tapir  when  birds  were  so  plenty. 

"  No ;  anything  which  will  stop  him  in  the  path  is 
enough.  He  will  not  try  to  go  around  ;  but  on  see- 


224  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

ing  us,  he  will  make  every  effort  to  break  through , 
when  the  spear  can  be  used." 

"  Why  not  run  the  risk  of  being  heard  and  use 
the  guns?" 

"  A  bullet  would  hardly  go  through  his  hide,  and 
the  shot  which  you  have  could  do  little  more  than 
tickle  the  animal.  The  spear  and  machetes  are  the 
best ;  but  we  must  take  care  he  does  not  get  past 
us,  for  a  tapir  swims  as  well  as  an  Indian,  and  once 
in  the  water  we  should  never  taste  his  flesh." 

"  Then  show  us  what  to  do,  and  we  will  begin 
work,"  Koy  said,  impatiently.  "There  are  not 
many  hours  of  daylight  remaining,  and  this  thing 
can't  be  managed  very  well  in  the  night." 

Tongla's  plan  was  not  an  intricate  one.  He 
marked  three  trees  on  either  side  the  path  that  were 
to  be  felled  in  such  a  manner  that  they  would  form 
an  angle  with  the  point  in  the  direction  of  the  camp, 
and  the  boys  began  the  task,  laboring  industriously 
until  nearly  sunset,  when  it  was  finished. 

Then  he  led  the  way  back  to  where  the  hammocks 
had  been  slung,  explaining  that  the  tapir  would  not 
venture  out  until  late  in  the  evening,  and  there  was 
plenty  of  time  to  complete  in  a  leisurely  manner  the 
remaining  preparations  for  the  hunt. 

It  was  now  so  nearly 'dark  that  there  seemed  little 
chance  that  the  smoke  of  their  fire  could  be  seen, 
and  Dean  was  installed  as  cook  while  Tongla  and 
Hoy  converted  two  of  the  machetes  into  spears  by 
lashing  them  firmly  to  a  stout  sapling. 

The  quail  were  roasted  to  a  turn  when  the 
laborers  were  ready  for  supper,  and  the  Indian 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  225 

method  of  cooking  was  highly  appreciated.  They 
came  from  the  coals  looking  like  lumps  of  well-baked 
clay ;  but  on  breaking  these  balls  open  the  skin  and 
feathers  were  found  adhering  to  the  covering,  and 
the  delicious  white  meat  was  exposed  to  view. 

"  Save  the  fat  for  your  guns,"  Tongla  said,  as  Koy 
and  Dean  began  the  feast  with  well-sharpened  appe- 
tites, and  before  the  meal  was  concluded  they  had 
enough  to  clean  half  a  dozen  weapons. 

It  was  about  nine  o'clock  when  the  hunters  set 
out,  Tongla  carrying  his  short  spear,  and  the  others 
armed  with  the  lengthened  machetes.  The  moon, 
although  in  its  first  quarter,  gave  sufficient  light  to 
disclose  surrounding  objects,  and  since  the  forest  at 
this  point  was  not  very  dense  the  tapir's  path  could 
be  seen  with  reasonable  distinctness. 

"  We  shall'hide  until  he  conies^"  Tongla  explained 
as  they  approached  the  barricade,  "  and  when  I  give 
the  word  you  are  to  thrust  with  the  machetes  until 
he  is  dead." 

"  The  chances  are  that  he  will  show  fight,  I  sup- 
pose," Eoy  said,  with  a  perceptible  tone  of  appre- 
hension in  his  voice. 

"  Not  at  all.  His  only  desire  will  be  to  get  away, 
and  that  we  must  prevent,  for  in  his  body  is  as 
much  meat  as  we  shall  need  this  side  the  coast." 

It  was  difficult  for  Eoy  to  believe  an  animal  as 
large  as  Tongla  represented  the  tapir  to  be  would 
not  do  something  in  defense  of  himself,  and 
the  fact  that  they  had  no  other  weapons  than  the 
improvised  spears  troubled  him  considerably.  It 
was  too  late  to  draw  back  now  save  at  the  expense 


226  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

of  being  thought  a  coward,  and  he  took  his  stand  in 
the  thicket  at  the  right  of  the  path,  as  the  Indian 
indicated.  Dean  remained  with  him,  while  Tongla 
stationed  himself  directly  opposite. 

"  Do  not  even  breathe  loud,  and  when  I  give  the 
word,  come  out  in  such  a  manner  that  he  can  be  at- 
tacked from  behind." 

These  were  the  final  directions,  and  then  Tongla 
vanished  from  view  without  a  sound  to  betoken  his 
passage  through  the  thicket. 

During  the  next  hour  the  boys  remained  in  ambus- 
cade, not  daring  to  move  save  when  fatigue  forced  a 
slight  change  of  position,  and  both  had  begun  to 
think  their  companion  was  mistaken  in  regard  to  the 
habits  of  the  animal,  when  a  heavy  but  rapid  tread 
could  be  heard  some  distance  up  the  path. 

Dean  clutched  his  brother  by  the  arm  as  if  fearing 
he  had  not  heard  the  noise,  and  in  another  moment 
a  large,  drab-colored  animal,  with  a  tail  like  a  pig 
and  an  abbreviated  trunk  instead  of  a  snout,  came  at 
a  swinging,  awkward  trot  directly  toward  the  fallen 
timbers. 

He  turned  neither  to  the  right  nor  the  left,  but 
crashed  into  the  ambuscade,  where  he  tried  in  vain 
to  force  a  passage. 

4'Come  on!"  Tongla  shouted,  as  he  leaped  from 
his  place  of  concealment  and  began  making  furious 
thrusts  at  the  beast  with  his  spear.  "  Move  quickly, 
or  he  will  succeed  in  breaking  through !" 

Hoy  and  Dean  were  at  the  tapir's  side  in  an 
instant,  and  as  the  former  tried  to  cut  through  the 
animal's  thick  hide  with  the  point  of  his  machete 


THE  TREASURE-BINDERS.  22? 

he  realized  how  useless  would  have  been  a  charge  of 
shot  in  such  an  encounter.  It  required  all  his 
strength  to  penetrate  the  flesh,  and  after  one  unsuc- 
cessful thrust  he  shouted  to  Dean  : 

"  Strike  hard !  The  skin  is  like  leather,  and  an 
ordinary  blow  will  amount  to  nothing." 

It  is  doubtful  if  the  white  boys  unaided  would 
have  succeeded  in  even  disabling  the  animal.  None 
of  the  wounds  inflicted  by  them  appeared  to  have 
any  effect  on  him,  and  he  was  on  the  point  of  break- 
ing down  the  obstruction  when  Tongla  drove  his 
spear  directly  through  the  tapir's  body  from  side  to 
side. 

The  awkward  animal  fell  to  his  knees  with  a  grunt, 
and  then  rolled  over  dead,  greatly  to  the  joy  of  his 
executioner,  .who  indulged  in  a  fantastic  sort  of 
dance  expressive  of  pleasure  and  triumph. 

Now  that  the  tapir  had  been  killed,  it  was  a  task 
of  no  mean  magnitude  to  carry  the  carcass  to  the 
camp.  Tongla  began  by  disemboweling  him,  and 
then  divided  the  flesh  into  quarters,  to  each  of 
which  a  rope  of  vines  was  attached,  after  which  the 
hunters  dragged  the  portions  where  the  hammocks 
had  been  slung. 

The  Indian  boy's  first  care  was  to  skin  the  head, 
wrap  it  in  leaves,  and  then  dig  a  large  hole  in  which 
it  could  be  roasted.  Roy  and  Dean  brought  fuel, 
built  the  fire,  and  when  a  large  quantity  had  been 
reduced  to  coals  the  not  very  inviting-looking  flesh 
was  put  upon  them  and  covered  with  an  unusually 
high  pile  of  earth. 

"  Now  we  must  smoke  the  rest  of  the  meat,"  Ton? 


228  THE  TREASURE-FINDER. 

gla  said,  as  he  turned  once  more  to  the  carcass. 
"Dig  five  or  six  ovens  like  this  one  and  build  small 
fires  in  them,  while  I  cut  up  the  body." 

Since  every  fellow  knows  how  game  "is  cured  by 
smoking,  it  is  unnecessary  to  go  into  details ;  suffice 
it  to  say  that  the  entire  night  was  spent  in  the  work, 
and  even  then  the  Indian  declared  it  was  not 
finished. 

"  We  must  stay  here'  twenty -four  hours  longer," 
he  said,  "  because  it  is  not  safe  to  keep  the  fires  go- 
ing, now  that  the  day  has  come.  We  will  have 
the  tapir's  head  for  breakfast,  and  then  I'll  weave 
some  sacks  of  mohoe-bark  in  which  the  meat  can 
be  carried." 

Despite  all  Tongla  had  said  regarding  the  deli- 
cious quality  of  the  roast,  neither  of  the  white  boys 
thought  it  particularly  good.  It  was  not  to  be  de- 
spised, by  any  manner  of  means,  for  they  were  as 
hungry  as  they  were  tired,  and  all  ate  without  stint. 

When  the  meal  came  to  an  end  Koy  and  Dean 
set  about  putting  their  guns  in  order,  for  the  supply 
of  grease  was  more  than  abundant,  and  in  an  hour 
the  weapons  were  as  serviceable  as  before  the  tem- 
poral. 

During  this  time  Tongla  had  gathered  a  quantity 
of  mohoe-bark,  and  was  weaving  bags  for  the 
smoked  meat,  when  Eoy  proposed  that  they  lie  down 
for  awhile. 

"  You  shall  sleep  until  noon,  and  then  I  will  take 
my  turn,"  the  weaver  replied ;  and  since  this  would 
be  but  a  just  division  of  guard  duty,  the  white  boys 
at  once  sought  the  needed  repose. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  229 


CHAPTER  XXIY. 

DISAGREEABLE    NEIGHBORS. 

WHEN  Eoy  and  Dean  awakened,  Tongla  had 
not  only  finished  his  task  of  weaving  bark 
sacks,  but  was  gathering  wood  with  which  to  con- 
tinue the  work  of  smoking  the  meat  as  soon  as 
night  should  come.  The  birds  were  incased  in  mud, 
that  they  might  be  cooked  at  the  same  time,  and 
nothing  remained  to  be  done  until  after  the  sun 
should  set. 

Both  had  had  quite  as  much  sleep  as  was  needed, 
and  in  the  absence  of  anything  better  to  do  they 
sat  just  within  the  thicket  watching  the  swiftly -run- 
ning river,  but  seeing  no  signs  of  human  life  until, 
when  the  shadows  were  beginning  to  lengthen,  Ton- 
gla arose. 

From  that  time  till  morning  each  boy  had  plenty 
to  do.  With  seven  or  eight  fires  to  be  attended  to, 
neither  of  which  was  allowed  to  burn  brightly,  but 
simply  to  send  out  the  largest  possible  quantity  of 
smoke,  all  were  kept  busy.  When  the  flames  rose 
too  high  water  was  sprinkled,  by  means  of  a  wet 
branch,  to  deaden  them,  and  this  portion  of  the  work 
required  incessant  attention. 

The  game  was  cooked  during  the  earlier  part  of 
the  night,  and  the  laborers  made  a  delicious  mid- 


230  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

night  meal  and  breakfast  from  one  of  the  curas- 
sows. 

The  sun  was  just  rising  when  the  last  pieces  of 
tapir  were  taken  from  the  fire  and  packed  in  the 
bags  of  mohoe-bark.  Apparently  everything  was 
in  readiness  for  departure,  and  Dean  was  about  to 
drag  the  pitpan  from  the  bushes,  when  Tongla  pro- 
posed that  they  go  back  for  a  cabbage-palm,  which, 
until  this  moment,  had  been  forgotten. 

"  We  can  cook  it  at  the  next  place  we  stop,"  he 
said,  "and  it  will  make  the  meat  taste  better." 

It  surely  seemed  like  a  willful  waste  of  time,  more 
especially  since  they  had  plenty  of  provisions  on 
hand ;  but  neither  Roy  nor  Dean  thought  it  well  to 
object,  because  their  companion  was  so  eager  to  pro- 
cure the  dainty. 

Under  ordinary  circumstances  the  Indian  would 
have  climbed  the  tree  in  order  to  procure  the  edible 
portion  without  destroying  the  palm  ;  but  that  there 
might  be  less  delay  he  felled  it,  and  from  the  vase- 
like  protuberance  at  the  top  of  the  trunk  cut  a  white 
core  or  pith  eight  or  nine  inches  in  circumference. 
It  looked  not  unlike  a  raw  turnip,  and  Tongla  as- 
sured his  companions  that  when  roasted  with  meat 
no  vegetable  had  a  more  delicious  flavor. 

Now  nothing  remained  to  be  done,  and  the  little 
party  walked  rapidly  toward  the  pitpan,  Dean,  from 
force  of  habit,  glancing  toward  the  river  when  they 
approached  the  thicket. 

"Look!  look!"  he  cried  in  a  low,  sharp  tone. 
"  There  is  a  canoe  which  appears  to  be  headed  di- 
rectly for  this  place  I"  ^ 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  231 

The  information  was  well  calculated  to  startle  his 
companions,  and  running  to  the  very  edge  of  the 
foliage,  they  peered  out.  A  boat  in  which  were  five 
men  was  being  pulled  up  stream,  and  from  the  oppo- 
site bank,  the  occupants  evidently  intending  to  land 
near  where  the  boys  were  concealed. 

"Can  it  be  that  those  are  the  same  men  who 
chased  us  through  the  stream  ?"  Eoy  asked.  "  They 
might  have  passed  in  the  night  and  are  just  going 
back." 

Tongla  gazed  long  and  earnestly  before  replying, 
and  then  said,  slowly  : 

"  This  canoe  has  come  from  far  down  the  river ; 
they  look  like  Kama  Indians,  and  if  so,  are  going  to 
the  ruins  to  celebrate  the  festival  of  the  sacred  ser- 
pent." 

"Is  there  any  chance  they  would  try  to  stop  us  if 
we  started  before  the  boat  got  here?"  Roy  asked, 
anxiously. 

"  It  would  not  be  safe  to  show  ourselves.  Have 
your  guns  ready ;  we  can  beat  them  off  if  they  dis- 
cover us  and  attempt  to  do  any  mischief." 

As  he  ceased  speaking  Tongla  ran  with  all  speed 
to  the  scene  of  their  late  culinary  operations,  cov- 
ered the  ashes  with  the  sand  which  had  been  taken 
from  the  excavations,  tore  down  the  frames  which 
had  been  used  for  hanging  the  meat,  and  in  every 
way  consistent  with  the  speed  necessary,  tried  to 
give  the  place  an  air  of  long  abandonment. 

When  he  finished  and.  crept  once  more  into  the 
thicket  where  the  boys  were  crouching  by  the  side 
of  the  pitpan,  the  canoe  was  but  a  short  distance 


232  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

from  the  shore ;  but  the  current  had  carried  her 
some  distance  down  stream,  and  it  was  evident  she 
would  be  beached  about  twenty  yards  from  where 
the  fugitives  lay. 

"  Are  you  going  to  trust  to  the  chance  that  we 
can  remain  hidden  here  ?"  Roy  asked,  when  the  In- 
dian lay  down  by  his  side. 

"  There  is  no  other  course  to  pursue,  unless  we  are 
willing  to  take  the  risk  of  a  fight  on  the  water.  We 
shall  be  able  to  hold  our  own  here  with  less  danger 
because  of  the  protection  afforded  by  the  trees.  It 
is  possible  they  will  not  come  up  as  far  as  this  if  the 
landing  is  for  the  purpose  I  think." 

"What  is  that?" 

"  We  shall  see,"  was  the  evasive  answer ;  and  then 
the  strangers  were  so  near  that  it  was  no  longer  safe 
to  indulge  in  conversation. 

At  the  point  where  the  canoe  was  run  ashore  the 
land  sloped  gently  down,  and  there  were  no  trees  to 
obstruct  the  view  of  those  in  hiding.  They  saw  the 
men  step  gravely  ashore,  seat  themselves  in  a  circle 
as  if  the  only  purpose  in  landing  had  been  to  rest 
their  limbs,  and  then  light  loosely -rolled  cigars  with 
a  splinter  of  some  resinous  wood  which  one  of  the 
party  had  set  on  fire  after  making  a  series  of  the 
most  grotesque  bows  and  grimaces. 

u  It  is  as  I  thought,"  Tongla  whispered,  softly. 
"  They  are  the  worshipers  of  Yotan  on  their  way 
to  the  ruined  city,  and  have  stopped  to  prepare  them- 
selves for  the  holy  task." 

So  far  as  the  boys  could  see,  this  preparation  con- 
sisted chiefly  in  smoking  at  a  furious  rate,  and  for 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  233 

the  next  two  hours  nothing  else  was  done.  No  con- 
versation was  carried  on  among  them ;  but  each 
puffed  sedately,  lighting  a  fresh  cigar  as  fast  as  one 
was  consumed. 

"  It  begins  to  look  as  if  we  shouldn't  leave  here 
this  forenoon,"  Roy  whispered  impatiently,  as  the 
ceremony,  if  such  it  could  be  called,  was  continued, 

"  They  will  not  start  until  after  the  siesta,"  Ton- 
gla  replied.  "  The  end  is  approaching,  and  then  all 
will  lie  down." 

As  the  Indian  boy  spoke  the  eldest  of  the  party 
took  from  the  bow  of  the  canoe  a  horn,  curved  like 
a  ram's,  and  as  he  did  so  the  others  threw  off  their 
loose  cotton  blouses,  thus  exposing  the  upper  portion 
of  their  bodies. 

The  priest,  or  head  man,  whichever  he  should  be 
termed,  drew  from  his  girdle  a  short  knife,  holding 
the  horn  in  his  left  hand,  and  as  the  first  Indian  in 
the  circle  stretched  his  arm  upward  a  quick  cut  was 
made  on  the  fleshy  portion,  the  blood  running  quite 
profusely  into  the  horn  held  to  receive  it.  In  a  like 
manner  each  member  of  the  party  was  treated,  and 
then  the  priest  slashed  his  own  arm  until  the  en-, 
sanguined  fluid  spurted  out  and  mingled  with  the 
rest. 

This  done,  and  while  the  horn  with  its  contents 
was  held  high  in  the  air,  the  entire  party  joined  in 
what  sounded  very  like  a  chant,  each  man  keeping 
time  with  the  arm  from  which  the  blood  was  yet 
flowing. 

It  was  a  weird  and  by  no  means  pleasing-looking 
spectacle.  The  voices  sounded  harsh  and  threaten- 


234  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

ing,  and  both  Hoy  and  Dean  felt  decidedly  relieved 
when  it  was  brought  to  a  close  by  all  rising  while 
the  priest  touched  the  forehead  of  each  with  the 
horn,  after  which  he  threw  it  far  out  into  the  river. 

This  performance  was  followed  by  another  pro- 
longed smoke,  and  then,  as  Tongla  had  said,  all  lay 
down  on  the  ground  as  if  to  sleep.  At  least  three 
hours  had  been  spent  in  this  mummery,  and  the  heat 
was  now  so  great  that  any  very  active  exercise  was 
out  of  the  question. 

"They  will  remain  there  the  entire  time  of  the 
siesta,"  Roy  said,  in  dismay. 

"  It  will  be  well  for  us  if  they  spend  it  in  that 
place.  Should  we  be  discovered,  all  would  know  we 
had  witnessed  the  offering  to  Yotan,  and  would  con- 
sider it  their  duty  to  carry  us  to  the  ruins  that  the 
crime  might  be  atoned  for." 

"  I  thought  those  who  worshiped  Kabul  were  the 
ones  who  had  a  right  to  the  ruins.  How  is  it  that 
these  people  can  go  there  ?" 

"  In  this  country  are  many  gods ;  but  those  who 
visit  the  buried  city  have  stated  times,  and  when 
Yotan  is  to  be  worshiped  the  followers  of  Kabul 
will  go  back  to  the  range." 

"  Perhaps  one  of  the  idols  we  found  represents 
the  god  they  worship,"  Dean  suggested;  and  his 
brother  replied,  impatiently : 

"Now  don't  try  to  find  trouble.  Owing  to  this 
multiplicity  of  gods  we  are  in  a  bad  scrape  already, 
and  I  don't  want  to  so  much  as  fancy  that  it  might 
be  worse." 

"  But  it  will  be  if  those  fellows  happen  to  take  a 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  235 

stroll  up  this  way  after  they  awaken.  Don't  you 
think  it  would  be  a  ^ood  idea  to  leave  this  section  of 
the  country  ?  We  could  find  plenty  of  chances  to 
hide  by  starting  now." 

"  Then  if  they  did  come  this  way  we  should  not 
only  lose  our  boat,  but  all  the  meat  we  have  spent 
so  much  time  preparing.  I  think  our  best  plan  is  to 
stay  right  here,  and  if  we  are  discovered  fight  for 
the  property,  without  which  we  stand  precious  little 
chance  of  ever  reaching  home  again." 

"  That  is  what  must  be  done,"  Tongla  added,  and 
Dean  had  no  further  suggestions  to  make.  He 
would  have  preferred  to  leave  such  a  dangerous 
locality,  but  since  his  companions  were  opposed  to 
the  plan  there  was  nothing  more  to  be  said. 

The  boys  had  a  long,  weary  time  of  waiting,  and 
the  possibility  that  on  awakening  the  Indians  might 
discover  their  whereabouts  did  not  tend  to  make 
them  feel  any  more  cheerful.  The  mosquitoes 
swarmed  everywhere  around,  and  not  daring  to 
move  very  much,  the  little  party  were  bitten  until 
Koy's  and  Dean's  faces  and  hands  were  swollen  ter- 
ribly. Tongla  would  have  brought  out  some  of  the 
provisions,  that  they  might  have  lunch;  but  his  com- 
panions were  in  such  a  condition  of  mental  anxiety 
that  food  seemed  distasteful. 

Slowly  the  hours  wore  away.  The  time  of  the 
siesta  was  drawing  to  a  close,  and  just  when  Hoy 
began  to  fear  their  disagreeable  neighbors  might 
conclude  to  remain  all  night  one  of  the  party  awoke. 
He  started  to  his  feet  as  if  to  walk  along  the  shore, 
and  the  white  boys  grasped  their  guns ;  but  there 


236  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

was  no  occasion  to  use  them  then,  for  after  a  mo- 
ment of  hesitation  the  man  turned  to  arouse  his 
companions. 

In  a  few  moments  the  worshipers  of  Votan  were 
standing  on  the  bank  conversing  in  low  tones,  and 
even  Tongia  looked  disturbed  because  of  the  unac- 
countable delay. 

Finally  the  canoe  was  pushed  off,  the  men  clam- 
bered in,  and  with  steady,  powerful  strokes  began  to 
propel  her  up  stream. 

"  Well,"  Dean  said,  with  a  long-drawn  sigh  of  re- 
lief, when  the  boat  was  so  far  from  the  shore  that 
his  words  could  not  be  overheard,  "  this  is  about  the 
worst  day  I  have  spent  since  we  left  home.  Sitting 
still,  waiting  to  be  attacked,  and  not  daring  to  so 
much  as  brush  a  mosquito  from  one's  face,  is  more 
trying  than  a  regular  battle." 

"  It  makes  a  fellow  feel  mighty  good  to  have  a 
chance  to  stretch  his  legs ;"  and  Roy  tramped  up  and 
down  behind  the  trees  at  a  furious  pace.  "  When  is 
it  safe  for  us  to  start,  Tongia?" 

"  JSTot  until  they  are  out  of  sight." 

"  It'll  be  nearly  dark  by  that  time." 

"  So  much  the  better  for  us.  There  is  not  much 
floating  in  the  river  now,  and  for  many  hours  the 
moon  will  give  light  enough  for  us  to  see  the  way." 

"At  least  let  us  get  the  pitpan  into  the  water. 
That  will  save  just  so  many  minutes." 

Tongia  would  not  allow  a  movement  to  be  made 
outside  the  thicket ;  the  risk  of  being  seen  was  too 
great,  and  he  had  no  idea  of  bringing  a  new  set  of 
enemies  upon  them.  The  boys  dragged  the  idols 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  237 

from  their  hiding-place  and  wrapped  them  in  leaves, 
so  that  in  case  any  stranger  chanced  to  get  a  glimpse 
of  the  pitpan's  bottom  the  treasure  might  appear 
the  same  as  the  provisions ;  and  so  much  care  was 
bestowed  on  this  work  that  when  it  was  finished 
Tongla  believed  the  journey  might  safely  be  re- 
sumed. 

To  carry  the  light  craft  to  the  river  and  load  her 
with  the  generous  supply  of  provisions  delayed  them 
at  least  half  an  hour  longer.  Then  the  voyagers 
stepped  aboard,  and  once  more  the  current  was  bear- 
ing them  toward  the  coast. 

u  We've  got  about  three  hours  of  daylight,  and  if 
you  conclude  to  sail  until  the  moon  sets  a  good 
many  miles  should  be  covered,"  Eoy  said,  bending 
to  the  paddle  as  if  the  exercise  was  a  pleasure. 
"  What  is  to  be  done  if  we  come  to  a  village  ?" 

"  Trust  to  our  strength  in  case  it  is  yet  light,  and 
after  dark  try  to  slip  past  under  the  shadow  of  the 
opposite  bank." 


238  TBE  TREASURE  FINDERS. 


CHAPTER  XXV. 

TONGLA'S  STOEY. 

WHEN  they  were '  well  underway,  and  being 
carried  down  stream  by  the  current  even 
faster  than  they  could  have  paddled,  Tongla  advised 
his  companions  to  work  moderately  in  order  that 
they  might  be  comparatively  fresh  in  case  of  an- 
other pursuit. 

"  If  I  had  not  urged  you  to  make  every  effort  to 
force  the  boat  ahead,  we  might  have  outstripped 
those  who  gave  chase  from  the  last  village  without 
being  obliged  to  spend  so  much  time  in  the  small 
stream,"  he  said.  "  Now  we  will  do  little  more  than 
keep  the  pitpan  in  the  current,  and  if  other  enemies 
spring  up  we  shall  be  in  condition  to  run  away  from 
them." 

Acting  under  this  advice,  the  boys  did  not  exert 
themselves  save  at  such  times  as  it  was  necessary  to 
swing  the  little  craft  around  suddenly  in  order  to 
avoid  some  obstacle  in  the  river,  and  this  portion 
of  the  journey  was  more  like  some  pleasure  excur- 
sion than  a  flight  from  vengeful  enemies. 

After  an  hour  had  passed  and  the  dreary  time  of 
waiting  for  the  worshipers  of  Yotan  to  depart  had 
been  partially  forgotten,  Eoy  and  Dean  grew  hun- 
gry. Some  of  the  roasted  meat  was  set  out,  and 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  239 

all  hands  partook  of  a  hearty  meal,  after  which 
they  were  in  fit  condition  to  enjoy  what  was  really 
a  charming  sail. 

The  undulating  country  on  either  side  of  the 
river  was  covered  with  foliage  to  the  very  edge  of 
the  water,  owing  to  the  flood,  and  every  where  were 
bits  of  color  from  the  gorgeously -hued  birds  or  bril- 
liant flowers,  like  jewels  set  in  green  enamel. 

Beautiful  though  the  scenery  was,  the  eye,  grown 
accustomed  to  the  many  changes,  soon  tired  of  it; ; 
and  as  the  coining  night  caused  the  forest  to  send 
out  long  masses  of  black  into  the  river,  the  elation 
of  the  white  boys  was  turned  to  something  very 
nearly  approaching  despondency.  At  such  a  time 
conversation  seemed  necessary,  and,  tired  of  discuss- 
ing their  chances  of  reaching  the  coast  in  safety, 
Eoy  said,  abruptly : 

"  Before  coming  here,  Dean  and  I  read  a  great 
deal  about  this  country,  Tongla,  and  it  appeared  as 
if  your  people  have  been  used  mighty  rough." 

For  fully  a  minute  Tongla  remained  silent,  as  if  re- 
peating to  himself  the  many  acts  of  cruelty  which 
had  been  told  by  father  to  son,  thus  keeping  alive 
the  enmity  against  the  hated  Spaniard,  although 
centuries  have  elapsed  since  the  most  atrocious 
deeds  were  committed. 

"  The  one  aim  of  the  white  man  has  been  to  kill 
the  Indians,  that  the  rightful  owners  of  this  most 
beautiful  land  may  not  rise  to  punish  the  murderer 
and  thief,"  he  said  at  length,  in  a  tone  such  as  the 
boys  had  never  heard  him  use  before.  "  Many  years 
ago  this  country,  under  the  wise  rule  of  my  fore- 


246  P&E  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

fathers,  was  like  the  gardens  your  people  delight  to 
see  around  their  haciendas.  From  the  lagoons  to 
the  great  lake  the  Indians  were  happy,  rich  and 
peaceful.  Then  came  the  Spaniard.  It  was  as  if 
those  with  dark  skins  were  less  than  the  fierce  dogs 
the  invaders  brought  with  them.  Knowing  little  of 
war,  because  we  had  never  fought  among  ourselves, 
the  white  men  easily  conquered,  demanding  gold  as 
the  ransom  for  a  life,  and  slaying  women  and  chil- 
dren for  the  pleasure  of  seeing  blood  flow. 

"  Gold,  corn  and  slaves  were  demanded  at  stated 
times  from  every  cazique,  and  a  cruel  death  followed 
if  the  tribute  was  not  paid.  Thousands  and  thou- 
sands were  sent  away  in  chains  each  year,  to  be  sold 
like  hogs.  Hundreds  were  killed ;  not  as  we  killed 
the  tapir,  that  he  might  serve  for  food,  but  to  gratify 
the  desire  which  the  conquerors  felt  to  witness  the 
death-struggles.  Shall  I  tell  you  of  one  merry-mak- 
ing which  the  Spaniards  had  at  Leon  ?  It  was  many 
years  ago,  but  the  Indian  will  always  remember  as 
if  it  were  yesterday.  Two  Spaniards  left  the  city 
to  extort  fresh .  tribute  from  the  unhappy  ones  in 
their  power,  and  during  the  journey  they  were  mur- 
dered by  members  of  their  own  party. 

"  Although  the  rightful  rulers  of  the  country  had 
no  hand  in  the  murder,  seventeen  caziques  were 
taken  from  different  portions  of  the  country  and  car- 
ried to  Leon.  There,  in  the  public  square,  each  was 
armed  with  a  stick  and  told  to  defend  himself  from 
the  dogs  which  were  to  be  set  loose.  Powerless,  as 
against  the  white  men's  wickedness,  the  brave  In- 
dians stood  shoulder  to  shoulder  surrounded  by  sol- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  241 

diers,  and  with  the  conquerors  as  spectators.  That 
they  might  not  die  too  quickly,  the  young  and  un- 
trained dogs  were  at  first  freed,  and  for  half  an 
hour  the  cruel  sport  was  continued,  my  ancestors 
having  been  torn  and  mangled,  but  not  killed.  Then 
the  older  brutes  were  set  on,  and  the  Spaniards  en- 
joyed the  scene  until  the  victims  were  dead  and 
their  bodies  half -eaten.  Even  then  the  usurpers 
were  not  satisfied,  but  refused  to  allow  the  dismem- 
bered bodies  to  be  buried  until  the  fourth  day,  when 
the  stench  was  so  great  that  they  feared  some  ter- 
rible plague  would  come  upon  them,  and  the  mass  of 
decaying  flesh  which  had  once  formed  noble  men 
was  shoveled  like  offal  into  a  hole. 

"It  is  such  deeds,  which  I  could  recount  until  we 
reach  the  coast,  never  ceasing  for  want  of  more  to 
tell,  that  has  made  the  Indian  a  slave,  and  you  can- 
not wonder  why  those  who  have  been  driven  into 
the  forest  look  with  distrust  and  hate  upon  a  white 
skin.  My  people  will  not  always  be  slaves ;  the  day 
shall  come  when  you  may  seek  in  vain  from  the 
mouth  of  the  San  Juan  Eiver  to  the  Bay  of  Fonseca 
for  one  drop  of  Spanish  blood." 

It  would  have  been  impossible  for  anyone  to  hear 
these  words  without  feeling  the  deepest  sympathy 
for  the  abused  people  of  this  beautiful  country,  and 
the  white  boys  were  deeply  moved.  It  was  not  in 
their  power  to  speak  words  of  cheer,  for  the  strength 
of  this  once  mighty  nation  had  been  broken;  but, 
leaning  over,  Dean  laid  his  hand  on  Tongla's  in 
silent  sympathy,  and  the  latter  pressed  it  long  and 
warmly. 


242  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

During  the  next  half-hour  hardly  a  word  was 
spoken;  amid  a  profound  silence  the  canoe  sped 
swiftly  on,  the  light  of  the  moon  causing  it  to  look 
as  if  she  were  sailing  over  a  river  of  molten  silver, 
and  then  Tongla  said,  as  he  pointed  ahead  to  where 
it  appeared  as  if  the  waters  ran  directly  beneath  a 
high  cliff : 

"  That  is  the  home  of  the  river  god.  He  has  built 
up  the  hill  that  none  may  pass  through  save  by  his 
consent.  I  have  been  told  that  the  channel  is  full  of 
rocks,  and  we  must  remain  on  this  side  until  morn- 
ing." 

The  voyagers  were  within  sight  of  a  deep  can- 
yon, much  as  if  at  some  time  the  river,  having  been 
diverted  from  its  natural  course,  had  cut  its  way 
directly  through  the  center  of  a  hill,  and  the  roaring 
of  the  waters  told  how  full  of  danger  must  be  the 
passage,  now  that  the  flood  prevented  the  obstacles 
from  being  seen. 

They  could  already  feel  the  increased  strength  and 
velocity  of  the  current,  and  the  narrow  way  looked 
so  dark  and  forbidding  that  the  boys  were  only  too 
glad  to  make  a  halt. 

It  was  nearly  midnight ;  in  four  or  five  hours  the 
new  day  would  come,  and  then  the  journey  could  be 
resumed. 

Now  all  hands  were  forced  to  exert  their  full 
strength  at  the  paddles  to  force  the  pitpan  out  of 
the  current,  and  only  after  a  most  severe  struggle 
was  the  little  craft  beached,  hardly  more  than  ten 
yards  above  the  dark  portals  of  the  gateway. 

"  Are  we  to  stand  watch  ?"  Koy  asked,  when  they 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  243 

had  stepped  on  shore  and  drawn  the  canoe  high  up 
on  the  bank. 

"  There  is  no  reason  for  it.  The  Indians  do  not 
remain  near  this  place  at  night,  for  it  is  believed  the 
river  god  claims  for  his  victims  all  who  venture  here 
after  the  night  has  come." 

"  He'd  surely  have  a  good  hold  on  any  one  who 
tried  to  go  through  there  in  the  darkness,"  Dean 
said,  nervously,  as  he  tried  in  vain  to  peer  through 
the  gloom  which  shrouded  the  sinister-looking  place. 
"  Must  we  go  in  there  ?  Wouldn't  it  be  possible  to 
carry  the  pitpan  over  the  hill  ?" 

"  It  is  difficult  for  a  man  with  nothing  in  his 
hands  to  ascend  the  cliff,  and  if  the  pitpan  was  only 
half  as  large  we  could  not  take  her  across.  When 
my  people  come  up  the  river  they  drag  the  canoes 
with  a  long  rope  by  making  their  way  over  the  top 
and  pulling  from  this  side,  for  the  distance  is  not 
long." 

Positive  that  no  enemy  was  lurking  in  the  vicinity, 
Tongla  built  a  fire,  that  they  might  be  free  from  the 
winged  pests  by  lying  or  sitting  in  the  smoke,  and 
the  boys  gathered  around  it  to  sleep  or  talk,  as  they 
chose. 

After  awhile  the  roar  of  the  torrent  became 
familiar,  and  one  by  one  they  fell  asleep,  not  to 
awaken  until  the  sun's  bright  rays  fell  full  on  their 
faces. 

Naturally  the  first  glance  of  each  was  toward 
that  narrow  strip  of  foaming,  seething  water,  and 
the  view  was  quite  the  reverse  of  cheering.  Im- 
agine a  river  a  hundred  yards  wide,  and  overflow- 


244  TfffS  TftfiASVRE-FINDERS. 

ing  its  banks  because  of  a  flood,  suddenly  narrowed 
to  twenty  or  thirty  feet,  and  some  idea  may  be  had 
of  the  passage  through  which  the  boys  must  pass  in 
order  to  reach  the  coast. 

"  Our  craft  wouldn't  live  a  minute  in  that  terrible 
place,"  Dean  said,  with  a  shudder.  "  I  had  rather 
set  her  adrift  and  make  my  way  over  the  cliffs,  with 
the  chance  of  picking  her  up  on  the  other  side,  than 
attempt  to  sail  over  those  rapids." 

"  It  is  only  necessary  .to  steer  carefully,"  Tongla 
replied.  "  If  you  and  Roy  lie  flat  in  the  bottom  I 
will  take  her  through  safely." 

"I  had  rather  try  to  go  over  the  range  alone, 
despite  the  followers  of  Kabul,  who  may  be  waiting 
for  us,  than  trust  myself  in  the  canoe  on  such  a  tor- 
rent." 

"  You  can  climb  the  cliff,  and  I  will  wait  on  the 
other  side  until  you  come." 

This  was  an  arrangement  which  both  Roy  and 
Dean  would  have  been  only  too  glad  to  make ;  but 
it  savored  so  much  of  cowardice  that  the  former  in- 
stantly rejected  the  plan,  although  he  was  eager  to 
spare  his  brother  the  mental  suffering  consequent 
upon  the  short  journey. 

"  Could  Dean  find  his  way  over  the  cliff  alone  ?" 
he  asked. 

"  Yes ;  but  he  could  not  reach  the  opposite  side 
until  late  in  the  night,  and  it  is  possible  we  may  find 
Rama  Indians  below  waiting  for  the  waters  to  sub- 
side before  they  come  up." 

"  Then  you  think  that  it  would  be  dangerous  to 
stay  on  the  other  side,  if  only  for  one  day  ?" 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  245 

"  I  do ;  but  if  Dean  does  not  wish  to  go  through 
on  the  pitpan  we  can  remain  until  he  arrives,  unless 
there  are  too  many  for  us  to  hold  in  check." 

"  I'll  settle  this  discussion,"  Dean  said,  quickly, 
and  with  an  effort  to  appear  unconcerned.  "  It  is 
foolish  for  me  to  be  frightened  I  will  go  in  the 
canoe,  and  if  anything  happens  we  shall  at  least  be 
together." 

"  It  is  well,"  Tongla  replied,  gravely.  "  In  ten 
minutes  we  shall  be  through,  floating  on  the  broad 
bosom  of  the  river,  and  no  accident  will  hap- 
pen." 

The  journey  was  delayed  only  until  the  Indian 
boy  made  some  chocolate,  and  a  hurried  breakfast 
of  cold  roast  curassow  had  been  eaten,  after  which 
preparations  were  made  for  the  perilous  passage. 
Now  Tongla  was  more  particular  than  ever  in  re- 
gard to  the  stowing  of  the  cargo.  A  single  mis- 
placed package  might  cause  a  wreck,  and  twice  was 
every  article  taken  out  to  be  replaced  differently  be- 
fore he  felt  satisfied. 

The  large  idol  was  placed  in  the  bow,  and  the 
smaller  ones  aft,  with  the  provisions  packed  snugly 
around  them ;  while  underneath  all,  in  the  center, 
were  the  weapons. 

"  You  are  to  sit  in  the  bow  with  a  paddle,  to  be 
used  in  case  it  is  necessary,"  Tongla  said  to  Roy. 
"  Do  not  dip  in  the  water  unless  I  give  the  word,  and 
then  remember  not  to  lean  over  the  side.  Sit  per- 
fectly straight,  whatever  happens,  that  all  the  weight 
may  be  in  the  middle." 

The  pitpan  was  lying  along  the  bank,  held  in  posi- 


246  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

tion  by  Dean,  who  had  quite  as  much  as  he  could  do 
to  prevent  the  current  from  wresting  her  out  of  his 
clutch  upon  the  rail,  and  in  obedience  to  Tongla's 
instructions,  Eoy  stepped  aboard. 

His  weight  caused  the  little  craft  to  careen,  and 
this  movement  invited  the  catas' rophe. 

As  the  bow  swung  a  few  inches  from  the  land  the 
stern  was  forced  out  so  violently  that  Dean  could 
not  retain  his  hold.  He  had  only  time  to  utter  one 
despairing  cry,  and  before  Tongla  could  leap  to  his 
aid  the  light  craft,  depressed  at  the  bow,  was  swept 
away  by  the  current. 

"  Do  not  attempt  to  rise !"  the  Indian  boy  shouted 
as  Eoy,  looking  ghastly  pale,  made  a  movement  to 
change  his  position.  "  Lie  down !  For  your  life,  lie 
down  1" 

Dean  was  so  terrified  by  seeing  his  brother  car- 
ried into  this  mad  vortex  that  he  did  not  know 
whether  the  command  was  obeyed  or  not.  Although 
in  no  way  to  blame,  it  was  to  a  certain  degree  be- 
cause of  him  that  the  terrible  accident  had  hap- 
pened, and,  seized  with  a  vertigo  of  fear,  he  fell  like 
one  dead. 

Tongla,  paying  no  heed  to  his  companion,  saw  the 
little  craft  whirled  twice  around  as  she  reached  the 
middle  of  the  foaming  stream,  and  then  dash  straight 
as  an  arrow  down  the  awful  incline. 

Eoy  had  covered  his  face  with  his  hands  as  if  to 
shut  out  from  sight  that  terrible  scene  which  it 
seemed  could  only  end  with  his  death,  and  was  be- 
ing carried  backward  when  the  walls  of  the  cliff 
shut  him  out  from  view. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  247 

Tongla  stood  gazing  at  the  spot  where  his  friend 
had  disappeared  as  if  unable  to  move.  Horror  was 
expressed  in  every  feature,  and  his  lips  were  livid  as 
he  muttered : 

"  It  is  the  vengeance  of  the  gods  1" 


k  VNIYER8ITY  ) 


!48  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTEE   XXYI. 

OVER   THE   CLIFFS. 

HOW  LONG  he  remained  staring  into  the  nar- 
row passage  stupefied  with  fear  Tongla  never 
knew.  It  must  have  been  quite  a  while,  however, 
for  he  was  only  aroused  from  the  lethargy  when 
Dean  revived  sufficiently  to  ask : 

"Is  he  dead?" 

"  When  the  waters  swept  him  around  the  bend  in 
the  wall  he  was  alive  and  unharmed.  But  come; 
we  must  not  stand  here !  He  may  have  been  flung 
ashore  if  the  pitpan  capsized,  and  his  life  can  be 
saved,  perhaps,  if  we  reach  him  in  time." 

Even  as  Tongla  spoke  he  realized  that  there  was 
no  possibility  they  could  make  their  way  over  the 
cliffs  before  nightfall;  but  it  was  as  well  Dean 
should  believe  his  brother  might  be  aided,  for  the 
journey  was  long  and  difficult,  filled  with  dangers 
such  as  would  require  something  more  than  fear  for 
his  own  safety  to  urge  him  on. 

All  the  provisions  were  in  the  boat,  and  they  had 
no  vessel  in  which  to  carry  water,  therefore  it  would 
not  be  possible  to  eat  or  drink  during  all  the  long 
hours  which  must  elapse  before  the  task  had  been 
accomplished, 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  249 

It  was  necessary  to  restrain  Dean  rather  than 
urge  him  on.  The  Indian  had  not  ceased  speaking 
when  the  almost  distracted  boy  started  toward  the 
cliff  without  heed  as  to  whether  he  struck  the  trail 
or  not. 

"  Wait !"  Tongla  shouted,  as  he  ran  to  overtake 
him.  "  It  must  be  there  is  a  path  here,  and  unless 
we  find  it  we  may  go  so  far  astray  that  to  reach  him 
before  morning  will  be  impossible." 

"Lead  the  way  and  I  will  follow;  but  move 
quickly,  for  every  moment  is  precious  now,"  Dean 
replied,  his  voice  so  choked  with  sobs  that  the  words 
'sounded  strange  and  indistinct. 

Tongla  set  about  the  task  with  deliberation,  real- 
izing fully  the  truth  of  the  old  adage  that  "  haste 
makes  waste,"  and  after  walking  to  and  fro  at  the 
base  of  the  cliff  several  times  /found  that  for  which 
he  sought. 

It  was  the  faintest  of  trails,  but  sufficient  to  point 
out  the  course  to  be  pursued,  and  the  ascent  was  be- 
gun at  once. 

To  travel  with  any  degree  of  speed  up  the  almost 
perpendicular  face  of  the  hill  was  impossible.  The 
boys  were  obliged  to  pick  their  way  carefully 
around  one  projecting  spur,  or  make  a  long  detour 
where  a  smooth  wall  of  rock  forbade  further  prog- 
ress in  that  direction,  and  oftentimes  clambering 
where  the  slightest  misstep  would  hurl  them  into 
the  torrent  below.  During  the  first  three  hours 
they  had  ascended  not  more  than  half  the  distance 
to  the  summit,  and  as  he  stopped  for  an  instant  to 
regain  his  breath  Dean  said,  mournfully  : 


250  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  It  will  be  night  before  we  reach  the  valley  be- 
yond, and  no  matter  how  much  Eoy  may  need  our 
aid,  we  shall  arrive  too  late." 

"There  is  nothing  which  can  be  done  save  to  as- 
cend the  hill.  I  have  great  hopes  we  shall  find  your 
brother  safe.  The  pitpan  had  turned  until  the 
stern,  which  was  raised  high  out  of  the  water,  went 
through  the  rapids  first,  and  it  is  as  reasonable  to 
suppose  she  floated  clear  of  all  obstructions  as  that 
he  has  been  thrown  out.  The  flood  has  covered  the 
rocks  with  water,  therefore  we  have  only  to  fear  the 
trees  which  may  have  lodged  there." 

Dean  found  nothing  in  these  words  to  give  him 
hope.  He  could  not  believe  any  craft  would  pass 
over  the  roaring  torrent  without  a  helmsman  un- 
harmed, and  that  Eoy  was  even  now  dead  or  dying 
seemed  certain. 

He  did  not  allow  himself  to  continue  the  halt  any 
longer  than  was  absolutely  necessary,  and  then  the 
difficult  journey  was  continued  up,  up  among  the 
rocks  where  the  noonday  sun  beat  down  pitilessly 
upon  their  unprotected  heads.  Not  a  breath  of  air 
was  moving,  and  the  heat  threatened  to  put  a  speedy 
end  to  the  labor  if 'it  were  not  ceased  for  a  time. 

"We  must  stop,"  Tongla  said,  at  length.  "To 
keep  on  while  the  god  of  light  is  so  high  in  the  sky 
will  be  to  fall  exhausted,  and  Koy  would  wait  for 
us  in  vain." 

At  first  Dean  refused  to  listen  to  such  advice ;  but 
when  another  hour  had  passed  it  was  literally  im- 
possible to  proceed  further.  The  thirst  which  as- 
sailed him  was  worse  than  he  had  known  in  the 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  251 

ruins,  and  his  brain  whirled  until  he  could  no  longer 
distinguish  surrounding  objects. 

"  Doesn't  the  rain-plant  grow  here  ?"  he  asked, 
feebly. 

"  ISTot  in  the  hills.  Chew  some  of  these  leaves ; 
they  will  moisten  jour  mouth." 

Tongla  handed  him  a  small  bunch  of  green  which 
he  had  gathered  from  time  to  time  during  the  pain- 
ful journey,  and  after  some  difficulty  the  distressed 
boy  succeeded  in  finding  a  little  relief,  although  his 
thirst  was  not  assuaged  in  any  degree. 

Dean  lay  under  the  shadow  of  a  rock  in  a  semi- 
unconscious  condition  until  the  sun  had  sunk  so  far 
in  the  western  sky  that  the  hill  sheltered  the  boys 
from  its  rays,  and  then  the  march  was  resumed. 

An  hour  later  they  were  at  the  summit,  looking 
eagerly  for  some  signs  of  Eoy,  but  nothing  could  be 
seen. 

Dean  moaned  in  his  grief,  and  Tongla  said,  sooth- 
ingly : 

"  It  does  not  prove  that  he  is  dead  because  we 
can  see  nothing  of  him.  The  forest  is  so  dense  in 
the  valley  that  a  hundred  boys  might  be  encamped 
on  the  bank  of  the  river  and  yet  we  be  unable  to 
see  them." 

"  But  the  Indians  ?  You  feared  there  might  be 
some  waiting  to  come  up." 

"  They  could  travel  faster  than  we  have,  and  if 
any  were  on  the  way  we  should  have  met  them  be- 
fore this.  The  road  is  not  so  difficult  now,  and  we 
shall  soon  be  at  the  river ;  but  be  careful  of  your 
steps,  for  a  fall  from  the  ledge  would  be  fatal," 


252  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Now  that  the  descent  had  begun  the  task  was  not 
as  laborious ;  but  it  required  the  greatest  caution. 
Each  moment  the  heat  became  less  intense,  and,  de- 
spite his  thirst,  Dean  revived  as  he  descended. 

Moving  in  a  zigzag  course,  to  guard  against  a  fall, 
the  boys  continued  the  journey  until  they  were  two- 
thirds  of  the  distance  down,  when  a  faint  cry  at- 
tracted their  attention. 

"  Was  that  a  bird  ?"  Dean  asked,  as  he  came  to  a 
full  stop. 

Tongla  hesitated  about  saying  exactly  what  he 
believed  it  was  until  a  small  object  could  be  seen 
running  along  the  river-bank,  and  then  he  cried,  ex- 
citedly : 

"  It's  Roy  !  He's  safe !  He's  safe !  Look  near 
the  water  and  you  can  see  him  plainly  !" 

In  another  instant  Dean  had  distinguished  his 
brother's  form,  and  he  shouted  for  very  joy  as  he 
waved  his  hat  vigorously. 

Roy  responded  by  the  same  gesture,  and  Dean 
cried,  as  he  started  at  full  speed : 

"  Come  on,  Tongla  !  I  can't  really  believe  he  has 
escaped  from  that  torrent  until  I  have  my  arms 
around  him." 

"  There  is  no  question  about  its  being  him,  and  I 
advise  less  haste,  or  he  will  be  the  mourner.  A  sin- 
gle misstep  and  it  will  be  impossible  to  put  your 
arms  around  any  one." 

Dean  moderated  his  pace  somewhat,  although  he 
continued  with  more  speed  than  was  consistent  with 
safety,  halting  not  till  he  and  his  brother  were  em- 
bracing each  other,  as  if  after  a  long  absence. 


THE  T&fiASTTnE-FINbEtiS.  253 

"How  did  you  get  through  that  terrible  place 
alive  ?"  Dean  asked,  hysterically. 

"  I  can't  tell.  There  was  hardly  time  to  realize 
the  danger  before  the  pitpan  was  floating  on  the 
river  below,  and  I  had  nothing  more  serious  to  do 
than  paddle  her  to  the  shore,  which  was  such  a  job 
that  it  wasn't  finished  until  I  was  two  or  three  miles 
from  here.  Then  I  dragged  her  among  the  bushes, 
as  we  did  night  before  last,  slung  the  hammocks, 
buried  the  idols,  hung  the  meat  where  the  animals 
couldn't  get  at  it,  and  came  up  to  see  where  you 
were." 

"  Wasn't  any  damage  done  ?" 

"  Not  a  bit ;  we  came  through  as  well  as  if  Tongla 
had  steered ;  and,  what  is  more,  we  didn't  ship  so 
much  as  a  drop  of  water." 

By  this  time  the  Indian  boy  had  arrived,  and  to 
him  Eoy  repeated  the  short  story  he  had  just  told 
Dean. 

As  a  matter  of  course  Tongla  was  delighted  at 
meeting  the  companion  whom  he  feared  was  dead ; 
but  he  did  not  express  as  much  joy  as  Dean  thought 
proper. 

"  One  would  think  you  were  not  particularly  glad 
to  see  him,"  he  said. 

"  I  can  never  be  more  happy  than  I  am  now ;  but 
I  am  troubled  for  the  future." 

"What  is  the  matter?"  Koy  asked,  anxiously. 
"Did  you  see  anything  on  the  mountain  which 
looked  suspicious  ?" 

"  So  far  as  I  know  there  is  no  cause  to  fear,  save 
for  that  which  we  have  with  us." 


254  TEE  TREASURE  FINDERS. 

"  What  is  the  matter,  Tongla  ?  Don't  let's  wear 
long  faces  when  we  should  be  rejoicing  at  Roy's  es- 
cape from  what  seemed  certain  death." 

"  I  fear  the  vengeance  of  the  gods,"  the  boy  re- 
plied, solemnly,  and  looking  around  quickly  as  if 
fearing  to  see  some  startling  proofs  of  their  dis- 
pleasure. 

"  Vengeance  of  the  gods  ?"  Roy  repeated,  in  per- 
plexity. "What  do  you  mean?  If  I  believed  in 
your  gods  I  should  say  they  had  shown  themselves 
particularly  well  disposed  in  allowing  me  to  come 
down  the  rapids  in  safety." 

"  That  was  done  to  show  you  what  they  could  do. 
Did  you  ever  know  of  so  many  disasters  in  such  a 
short  time  as  we  have  had  since  the  golden  gods 
were  stolen?" 

"  Now  see  here,  Tongla  " — and  Roy  spoke  in  a  de- 
cided tone — "  I  don't  like  that  word  '  stolen.'  We 
found  the  figures  where  they  had  been  lying  no  one 
knows  how  many  hundred  years,  and  it  surely  was 
not  stealing  to  take  them  away.  I  will  admit  that 
we've  had  many  misadventures,  but  if  we'd  never 
seen  the  idols  there  would  have  been  no  difference 
since  we  left  the  ruins." 

"  We  shall  not  see  the  hacienda  again  if  the  gods 
are  not  given  to  those  who  will  worship  them."  • 

"  I  can't  believe,  Tongla,  you  really  mean  that," 
Roy  said,  earnestly.  "  If  I  were  disposed  to  listen 
to  you,  how  do  you  know  who  their  worshipers  are  ? 
You  never  saw  such  figures,  and  they  have  probably 
been  long  since  forgotten." 

"  We  can  throw  them  in  the  river,  and  thus  free 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  255 

ourselves  from  the  vengeance,"  Tongla  replied,  with 
a  certain  doggedness. 

"  I  don't  intend  to  give  up  so  much  treasure  be- 
cause you  are  superstitious,"  Roy  said,  firmly. 
"  That  three  images  of  gold,  which  we  can  melt  or 
beat  out  of  shape  at  will,  have  any  influence  upon 
us  is  ridiculous,  and  it  isn't  well  to  discuss  such  a 
foolish  subject." 

"  As  you  please,"  the  Indian  boy  said,  quietly  ; 
but  both  Roy  and  Dean  could  see  that  his  belief  re- 
mained unchanged.  "  Shall  we  go  now  to  the  camp  ? 
It  will  be  dark  in  an  hour." 

Roy  led  the  way  down  the  river,  feeling  decidedly 
disturbed  in  mind  because  of  the  stand  taken  by  his 
companion.  It  might  lead  to  very  serious  difficul- 
ties in  the  future ;  but  yet  he  could  see  no  way  to 
convince  him  of  his  error,  save  by  repeating  over 
and  over  again  that  which  he  had  already  said 
many  times. 

The  sun  was  sinking  below  the  horizon  when  the 
boys  arrived  at  the  camp  on  the  banks  of  the  river, 
and  those  who  had  made  their  way  over  the  cliff 
felt  the  necessity  of  both  food  and  rest. 

Tongla  made  a  generous  pot  of  chocolate,  warmed 
one  of  the  roasted  partridges  by  a  small  fire,  and 
after  a  hearty  meal  Roy  proposed  that  the  two  who 
had  worked  so  hard  should  take  the  rest  they 
needed. 

"  I  have  done  next  to  nothing  to-day,"  he  said, 
"  and  can  stand  watch  as  well  as  not.  Neither  of 
you  are  in  a  condition  to  resume  the  journey,  and 
we  will  stay  here  q."»i  ^ly  until  morning." 


256  wra  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


CHAPTER  XXYII. 
DEAN'S  MISHAP. 

DEAN  and  Tongla  certainly  did  need  a  long  rest 
after  their  fatiguing  journey  over  the  cliff,  and 
neither  made  any  protest  against  taking  advantage 
of  Roy's  proposition.  In  a  very  few  moments  both 
were  sleeping  soundly,  while  the  sentinel  paced  to 
and  fro  in  front  of  the  fire  which  had  been  left  burn- 
ing as  a  slight  protection  in  case  of  a  visit  from  wild 
beasts. 

The  rushing  of  the  waters  drowned  the  ordinary 
noises  of  the  forest,  therefore  those  peculiar  sounds 
which  had  caused  even  Tongla  to  be  nervous  could 
not  be  heard,  and  the  night  watch  was  robbed  of 
its  most  disagreeable  feature. 

Roy  did  not  arouse  either  of  his  companions  until 
nearly  two  o'clock,  when  he  called  Dean,  saying,  as 
the  latter  rubbed  his  eyes  vigorously  to  insure  their 
remaining  open : 

"  If  you  stay  on  duty  an  hour,  and  then  awaken 
Tongla,  it  will  not  be  hard  for  either,  while  I  shall 
have  sufficient  rest  to  brace  me  up  for  to-morrow's 
journey.  There  really  doesn't  seem  to  be  any  reason 
why  any  one  should  stand  watch ;  but  I  suppose  it 
should  be  done  in  case  of  fresh  arrivals." 

"  Of  course  we  are  to  leave  here  at  sunrise  ?" 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  25? 

"  Earlier,  if  possible.  Tell  Tongla  to  get  break- 
fast just  before  daylight,  and  we  can  leave  at  the 
first  signs  of  dawn." 

Then  Eoy  threw  himself  in  his  hammock,  and 
Dean  was  virtually  alone,  the  roar  of  the  waters 
coaxing  his  sleepy  eyes  to  close.  He  sat  in  front  of 
the  fire  until  he  found  himself  on  the  verge  of 
dreamland,  and,  realizing  the  danger  of  slumbering 
at  his  post,  began  to  pace  to  and  fro,  as  Koy  had 
done. 

The  fire  was  burning  low,  and  this  gave  him  an 
opportunity  of  arousing  himself.  He  gathered  dry 
wood  here  and  there  in  such  a  manner  as  would  re- 
quire the  most  exercise,  and  in  doing  so  strayed 
some  distance  from  the  rays  of  light.  It  was  where 
the  gloom  prevented  a  good  view  of  the  surround- 
ings that  he  saw  what  appeared  to  be  a  dry  branch 
divested  of  foliage,  and  without  the  least  thought  of 
danger  picked  it  up. 

In  another  instant  the  sleepers  were  awakened  by 
a  shrill  cry  of  pain  and  terror,  and  on  leaping  to 
their  feet  saw  Dean  standing  near  the  fire,  ghastly 
pale,  hurriedly  baring  his  left  leg. 

"What  is  the  matter?"  Roy  asked,  excitedly. 
"  Did  you  see  something  that  frightened  you  ?" 

"  Look  out !  You're  walking  directly  over  him ! 
I  have  been  bitten  by  a  snake." 

Now  both  Roy  and  Tongla  could  see  that  which 
Dean  referred  to,  and,  seizing  his  machete,  the  latter 
cut  in  two  pieces  with  one  dexterous  stroke  the 
long,  writhing  strip  of  brown  which  was  wriggling 
its  way  toward  the  hammocks. 


258  TS  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  Is  it  a  poisonous  snake  ?"  Hoy  asked  in  alarm. 

"A  rattlesnake,"  was  the  ominous  reply;  and 
then  Tongla  cast  one  hasty  glance  at  the  wound. 
"  Help  me  to  dig  a  hole,"  he  cried,  using  the  machete 
as  a  spade,  and  Eoy  lost  no  time  in  obeying  the 
order. 

An  excavation  sufficiently  large  to  contain  the  in- 
jured limb  was  soon  made,  and,  seated  on  the 
ground,  Dean  allowed  his  leg  to  be  covered  with  the 
fresh  earth  to  the  depth  of  twelve  or  fifteen  inches 
after  a  ligature  had  been  placed  below  the  knee  and 
above  the  wound  to  prevent,  so  far  as  possible,  the 
virus  from  infecting  the  blood. 

"  It  would  have  been  better  if  we  had  left  the 
golden  gods  instead  of  the  guaco,"  the  Indian  boy 
said,  bitterly.  "  We  have  brought  away  the  treas- 
ure and  left  that  which  was  of  far  greater  value  in 
order  to  reduce  the  burdens." 

While  speaking  he  was  hastily  lighting  a  piece  of 
resinous  wood,  and  when  a  torch  had  thus  been 
made  he  added : 

"  Remain  with  him  while  1  am  away,  and  force 
the  boy  to  talk.  He  must  not  grow  sleepy,  nor  will 
it  be  safe  to  give  anything  to  drink  until  the  tea  has 
been  brewed,  if,  indeed,  the  gods  permit  that  I  shall 
find  what  we  have  wickedly  wasted." 

Dean  was  thoroughly  frightened  ;  but  otherwise 
there  appeared  to  be  no  change  until  five  minutes 
had  passed,  when  he  began  to  experience  great 
pain. 

"It  surely  seems  as  if  we  were  not  to  reach  home 
together,"  he  said,  sadly.  "Perhaps  Tongla  is 


TBE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

right,  and  we  have  done  wrong  in  bringing  away 
the  idols." 

"  Don't  talk  about  not  getting  home,"  Eoy  said, 
in  an  agony  of  apprehension.  "  He  must  find  the 
guaco,  and  it  cannot  be  that  there  will  be  any  more 
serious  results  to  the  accident  than  the  severe  pain 
which  is  sure  to  follow.  Keeping  up  your  courage 
is  more  then  half  the  struggle ;  and  for  mother's 
sake,  if  not  for  mine,  you  are  bound  to  fight  against 
this  thing." 

"  Of  course  I  will  do  that,  Hoy ;  I  know  by  my 
feelings  when  you  were  carried  through  the  canyon 
how  terrible  it  would  be  for  the  one  who  was  left  if 
death  should  end  the  flight.  The  pain  is  growing 
intense,  though,  and  if  Tongla  doesn't  come  soon  it 
will  be  too  late." 

There  was  nothing  Koy  could  do  to  hasten  the  re- 
turn of  the  boy  upon  whom  they  relied  so  fully  in 
this  time  of  deadly  peril,  nor  would  the  words  of 
cheer  come  to  his  lips,  for  his  hope  that  the  poison 
would  be  neutralized  had  now  grown  very  faint. 

For  five  minutes  more  the  brothers  sat  clasping 
each  other  by  the  hand,  and  to  one,  at  least,  each 
sixty  seconds  seemed  like  an  hour.  Then  the  Indian 
returned  with  a  handful  of  purple  leaves,  saying 
hurriedty,  as  he  approached  the  fire  : 

"  The  gods  have  been  good ;  I  found  the  most  ef- 
fective of  the  three  varieties.  Wash  the  chocolate- 
pot  quickly." 

Koy  darted  with  all  speed  to  the  bank  of  the 
river,  while  Tongla  crushed  in  his  hands  the  herb  on 
the  efficacy  of  which  Dean's  life  depended. 


£60 

"  How  much  water  do  you  want  ?" 

"  Bring  the  pot  half-full,"  Tongla  replied  ;  and  an 
instant  later  it  was  on  the  fire,  while  both  the  boys 
heaped  dry  wood  around  it,  that  the  virtue  of  the 
leaves  might  be  extracted  in  the  shortest  possible 
time. 

Instantly  the  odor  of  the  guaco  was  perceptible  a 
generous  portion  was  poured  into  the  canteen  and 
the  pot  replaced  on  the  fire  again,  Eoy  insisting  on 
his  brother's  drinking  while  the  liquid  literally 
burned  his  throat. 

The  tincture  was  weak;  but  yet  the  effects  were 
noticed  within  five  minutes  from  the  time  it  had 
been  taken.  Dean's  eyes  grew  brighter,  and  the 
stupor  which  could  already  be  perceived  gave  place 
to  increased  animation. 

"  It  seems  as  if  I  felt  that  stuff  in  every  vein,"  he 
said,  and  from  the  tone  of  his  voice  one  understood 
that  hope,  which  apparently  deserted  him  a  short 
time  before,  was  returning. 

"  Is  the  pain  as  bad  ?"  Eoy  asked,  solicitously. 

"  It  seems  to  be  growing  worse ;  my  knee  is  be- 
ginning to  ache." 

"  That  is  well,"  Tongla  replied,  joyfully.  "  If  the 
guaco  is  to  cure,  the  pain  must  increase.  When  the 
tea  is  a  little  stronger  we  will  give  you  another 
drink,  and  unfasten  the  cord  from  your  leg." 

"  Perhaps  that  is  what  makes  my  knee  ache." 

"  The  guaco  struggles  against  the  poison,  that  is 
all ;"  and  Tongla  appeared  to  be  so  well  pleased  with 
the  symptoms  that  Eoy  felt  wonderfully  encour- 
aged. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  261 

Ten  minutes  later  half  a  pint  of  the  hot  infusion 
was  administered,  and  without  taking  the  limb  from 
the  earth  the  Indian  boy  removed  the  ligature, 
when  Dean's  sufferings  were  increased  tenfold. 
Fortunately  he  was  not  fully  conscious ;  it  seemed 
as  if  the  tea  intoxicated  him,  a  ad  he  talked  at  ran- 
dom until  a  third  dose  had  been  poured  down  his 
throat,  when  he  sunk  back  in  a  sort  of  lethargy. 

"It  is  well,"  Tongla  said,  gravely.  "The  guaco 
has  conquered,  and  it  will  only  be  necessary  that  he 
recover  from  its  effects.  He  must  not  be  moved 
for  twenty-four  hours  at  least,  and  we  cannot  safely 
stay  here,  where  the  Woolwas  or  llamas  may  come 
at  any  moment." 

"  Have  we  got  to  make  another  long  halt  ?"  Hoy 
asked,  in  dismay. 

"  There  is  no  help  for  it.  His  life  would  be  in  as 
much  danger  as  it  was  half  an  hour  ago,  if  we  put 
him  on  the  pitpan  where  the  guaco  could  not  be 
given  regularly  until  noon." 

"  Of  course  that  settles  it,"  and  Eoy  tried  to  speak 
cheerfully.  "  We  can't  stay  so  near  the  bank  of  the 
river,  and  the  sooner  another  camp  is  made  the 
better." 

"I  will  attend  to  that.  Eemain  here;  if  he 
awakens  give  more  tea  until  he  falls  asleep  again, 
and  do  not  let  the  leg  get  uncovered." 

The  light  of  dawn  was  rapidly  dissipating  the 
gloom,  and  Tongla  could  make  his  way  through  the 
thicket  without  the  aid  of  a  torch. 

"  Is  it  safe  to  wander  around  without  so  much  as 
a  light  ?"  Roy  asked,  and  the  boy  replied : 


TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  There  cannot  be  any  wild  beasts  near  here.  The 
gods  have  warned  us  by  means  of  the  snake  that  the 
golden  figures  should  be  returned,  and  they  will  not 
send  any  more  trouble  until  we  neglect  to  do  their 
bidding." 

"  Now  don't  get  back  on  that  foolish  strain,"  Eoy 
said,  petulantly.  "  You  know,  as  well  as  I,  that  we 
have  only  taken  metal,  not  an  image  to  be  worshiped ; 
and  there  can  be  no  question  of  replacing  them,  even 
if  it  were  possible." 

"  It  has  been  spoken,  first  among  the  Woolwas, 
then  in  the  flood,  again  at  the  cliff,  and  now  the 
snake.  Is  it  not  enough  ?" 

"  To  induce  me  to  carry  those  idols  back  ?  Cer- 
tainly not.  All  these  things  would  have  happened 
if  we  had  given  them  up  to  the  Sukia  and  then  fol- 
lowed the  same  course." 

Tongla  did  not  reply.  The  sound  of  some  one 
making  his  way  through  the  foliage  told  that  he 
was  pushing  straight  back  from  the  river,  and  Eoy 
could  not  repress  a  sigh  as  he  thought  of  what  might 
be  the  result  if  the  Indian  should  insist  on  retracing 
his  steps  to  deliver  the  images  of  gold  to  those  who 
had  demanded  them. 

"  We  couldn't  go  on  without  him,"  he  said  to  him- 
self, "  and  it  would  be  little  less  than  suicide  to  re- 
turn now." 

These  dispiriting  thoughts  were  interrupted  by  a 
movement  on  the  part  of  Dean.  The  unconscious 
boy  attempted  to  turn  on  his  side,  an  action  which 
would  have  forced  the  wounded  limb  from  the  cov- 
ering of  earth,  and  Eoy  held  him  firmly  with  one 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  263 

hand  as  he  administered  with  the  other  a  fourth 
dose  of  the  guaco. 

It  was  rather  a  difficult  matter  to  do  this  success- 
fully while  Dean  struggled  to  prevent  it;  but  he 
managed  after  a  time  in  doing  as  he  wished,  at  the 
expense  of  spilling  nearly  half  the  contents  of  the 
pot,  and  his  brother  had  sunk  once  more  into  a  con- 
dition of  profound  lethargy  when  a  piercing  scream, 
mingled  with  a  hoarse  growling,  came  from  the 
thicket. 

"  Tongla !  Tongla !"  Koy  shouted  as  he  leaped  to 
his  feet,  seizing  at  the  same  instant  one  of  the  fowl- 
ing-pieces. 

"  Help !    The  jaguar  I" 

The  voice  sounded  stifled,  but  full  of  agony,  and 
with  a  mental  prayer  Koy  dashed  into  the  under- 
growth at  full  speed,  shouting  encouraging  words, 
but  hearing  nothing  more  until,  on  bursting  through 
a  clump  of  bushes,  the  sound  of  a  struggle  could  be 
distinguished,  apparently  close  at  hand. 

For  an  instant  he  stood  undetermined  how  to  pro- 
ceed. It  was  impossible  to  say  exactly  where  the 
animal  lay,  and  quite  probable  that  by  advancing  at 
random  he  would  find  himself  seized,  as  Tongla  had 
been. 

"Help!  help!"  came  from  the  foliage  almost 
directly  in  front  of  him,  and  he  hesitated  no 
longer. 

Forcing  his  way  through  the  tangled  shrubbery 
he  reached  a  small  clear  space  between  two  gigantic 
trees,  where  a  beast  four  or  five  feet  long,  of  a 
tawny  color  spotted  with  black,  was  snarling  and 


264  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

growling  over  what  might  have  been  mistaken  for  a 
bundle  of  bloody  rags. 

As  Roy  appeared  the  animal  turned  half-round, 
but  in  such  a  position  that  the  boy  did  not  dare  to 
discharge  the  weapon  lest  he  should  hit  his  friend. 

Moving  cautiously  to  the  left,  Eoy  hoped  to  find 
the  desired  opportunity.  The  jaguar  moved  also, 
and  the  condition  of  affairs  remained  unchanged. 

"  Why  do  you  not  fire  ?"  Tongla  asked  in  a  low 
tone,  as  he  tried  to  i*each  his  machete,  which  lay  a 
few  feet  from  him ;  but  the  beast  rolled  him  back 
with  one  paw  as  a  cat  plays  with  a  mouse,  keeping 
its  head  turned  toward  Roy  meanwhile. 

"  If  I  should  shoot  now,  some  of  the  shot  would 
be  sure  to  strike  you." 

"  Better  that  than  to  be  killed  by  these  teeth. 
Fire,  and  pay  no  heed  to  me !" 

It  was  not  probable  Roy  could  kill  the  jaguar 
.with  such  cartridges  as  his  gun  contained.  The 
most  he  hoped  for  was  to  wound  the  animal  suffi- 
ciently to  draw  him  from  his  victim,  and  then  finish 
the  battle  with  the  machete. 

"  I  shall  fire,"  he  said,  sharply.  "  Roll  out  of  his 
reach,  if  possible,  whenl  count  three,  and  get  hold 
of  your  weapon." 

"  Quickly !  Shoot  quickly ;  he  is  crushing  my  life 
out !" 

During  this  short  conversation  the  beast  stood 
gazing  at  Roy,  switching  its  tail  to  and  fro  angrily, 
and  the  boy  dropped  on  one  knee  as  he  counted, 
rapidly : 

"  One,  two,  three !" 


Quickly  1  Shoot  quickly ;  he  is  crushing  my  life  out,"  Ton*la  cried 
to  Roy. 


266 


TUE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 


With  the  last  word  he  discharged  both  barrels,  al- 
most at  the  same  instant,  and  it  seemed  as  if  the 
noise  of  the  discharge  had  but  just  rung  out  when 
he  was  thrown  to  the  earth  by  a  heavy  body,  while 
his  face  was  covered  with  some  hot  liquid. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  267 


CHAPTEE  XXVIII. 

THE    HUT   IN   THE   WILDEKNESS. 

\  If  7  HEN  Eoy  next  realized  anything  he  was 
V V  lying  on  his  back  a  few  feet  away  from  the 
dead  jaguar,  and  close  by  Tongla  sat,  trying  to 
staunch  the  flow  of  blood  from  many  ugly-looking 
wounds. 

"  Did  the  small  shot  kill  him  ?"  Eoy  asked,  in  sur- 
prise, as  he  rose  to  his  feet. 

"They  struck  him  full  in  the  eyes,  and  as  he 
leaped  against  you  I  managed  to  give  one  thrust 
with  the  machete.  We  have  nothing  more  to  fear 
from  him.  Are  you  wounded  ?" 

"  I  don't  think  so,"  the  boy  replied ;  and  then,  as 
he  saw  the  ensanguined  liquid  which  completely 
covered  his  garments,  he  added,  "  It  seems  as  if 
something  must  be  the  matter,  else  where  did  so 
much  blood  come  from  ?" 

"  The  greater  portion  probably  flowed  from  the 
jaguar's  body." 

"  I  remember  it  all  now.  I  was  knocked  over  as 
he  leaped ;  but  what  about  yourself?  Are  you  hurt 
much  ?" 

Tongla  would  have  made  light  of  his  wounds  if 
it  had  not  been  possible  for  Eoy  to  see  several  of 
them  from  which  the  life-current  was  flowing  pro- 


268  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

fusely,  and  the  instant  he  realized  that  the  boy's  life 
might  be  in  danger  everything  else  was  forgotten. 

Kneeling  by  his  side,  he  strove  to  bind  up  the 
ugly  gashes  with  strips  torn  from  his  own  shirt,  and 
when  the  task  had  been  accomplished  in  a  clumsy 
sort  of  fashion,  the  Indian  showed  every  sign  of  ex- 
haustion. 

"  Can  you  walk  as  far  as  the  hammocks  ?"  Roy 
asked,  anxiously. 

'*  I  must ;  unless  it  might  be  better  to  stay  here, 
and  you  and  Dean  come  with  me,  wh'ere  we  shall  be 
partially  hidden  in  case  any  one  should  pass  up  or 
down  the  river." 

ult  is  barely  daylight  now,  and  there  is  little 
chance  of  visitors  for  several  hours.  You  shall  lie 
near  Dean  while  I  search  for  a  good  place  in  which 
to  hide.  According  to  the  appearance  of  things  we 
are  likely  to  remain  here  several  days." 

Tongla  made  no  further  protest.  He  was  grow- 
ing so  weak  that  it  was  absolutely  necessary  he 
should  find  at  once  a  bed,  and,  leaning  heavily  on 
Roy's  shoulder,  he  walked  slowly  to  where  Dean 
had  been  left. 

The  rattlesnake's  victim  remained  in  a  semi-un- 
conscious condition,  as  when  the  last  dose  of  guaco 
had  been  administered,  and  before  paying  any  at- 
tention to  him,  Roy  assisted  Tongla  into  the  ham- 
mock. 

"  Is  there  anything  more  T  can  do?"  Roy  asked. 
"  I  know  very  little  about  dressing  wounds,  but  will 
try  my  best  to  carry  out  whatever  you  may  sug- 
gest." 


fHE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  269 

"If  you  knew  how  to  find  the  leche  Maria  these 
cuts  would  soon  be  healed." 

"  Tell  me  what  it  looks  like,  and  there  will  be  no 
harm  done  if  I  fail." 

The  Indian  described  the  general  appearance  of 
the  plant,  told  where  it  would  most  likely  be  found, 
and  Roy  started  through  the  thicket,  searching  for 
something  he  had  never  seen.  During  this  walk  he 
had  ample  opportunity  to  reflect  upon  the  very 
serious  turn  in  affairs.  Unskilled  though  he  was, 
only  one  glance  at  Tongla's  wounds  had  been  suffi- 
cient to  show  him  it  would  be  necessary  for  them 
to  remain  in  camp  many  days,  and  it  was  in  the 
highest  degree  important  that  a  location  be  found 
where  there  would  be  no  danger  of  discovery  from 
those  who  might  travel  to  and  fro  on  the  river. 

"  What  is  to  be  done  with  the  boat  beats  me,"  Hoy 
said  to  himself.  "I  can't  drag  it  through  the 
thicket  alone,  and  whoever  saw  it  would  know 
some  one  was  hiding  in  the  vicinity.  She  could  be 
set  adrift,  but  it  seems  as  if  that  ended  our  chances 
of  ever  reaching  the  coast." 

These  gloomy  reflections  were  interrupted  by  the 
sight  of  a  low,  thick-leaved  shrub  such  as  Tongla  had 
described  the  leche  Maria  to  be,  and  pulling  it  up  by 
the  roots  he  hurried  back  to  the  camp. 

"  That  is  what  will  make  me  well  in  a  few  days," 
the  Indian  said  in  a  feeble  but  joyful  tone.  "  Bruise 
the  leaves  into  a  paste,  and  we  can  bind  it  over  the 
wounds." 

An  hour  was  spent  in  this  work ;  the  morning  was 
so  far  advanced  that  the  heat  became  almost  oppres- 


2 ?()  THE  TREA SURE  FIND ER8. 

sive.  Dean  had  so  far  recovered  consciousness  that 
Tongla  advised  he  be  put  in  his  hammock,  since  it 
was  no  longer  necessary  the  limb  should  remain 
buried,  and  Koy  lifted  his  brother  as  if  he  had  been 
but  a  child. 

"  There  is  no  longer  any  fear  of  the  poison,"  the 
Indian  said,  confidently.  "  The  guaco  has  done  its 
work,  and  to-morrow  he  will  be  well." 

"  If  he  doesn't  feel  able  to  move  around  some,  I 
don't  know  what  is  to  be  done.  We  are  taking  big 
risks  in  staying  so  near  the  river  even  for  a  few 
hours,  and  after  I  find  a  location  for  the  new  camp 
the  boat  must  be  taken  care  of ;  she  would  betray 
our  whereabouts  as  certainly  as  if  we  hung  out  a 
sign  stating  that  we  were  near-by." 

"  In  two  or  three  days  I  can  help  you." 

"  If  your  wounds  are  so  far  healed  as  to  permit  of 
your  moving  around  in  a  week,  I  shall  think  we  are 
fortunate.  Help  from  you  is  out  of  the  question,  so 
think  up  some  scheme  while  I  am  away." 

"  Where  are  you  going  '$" 

"  To  find  a  camping-place.  We  will  locate  a  good 
distance  from  the  river,  and  it  will  take  some  time 
to  find  the  proper  spot." 

Tongla  made  no  reply,  and  Eoy,  after  another 
look  at  his  brother,  who  appeared  to  be  in  a  pro- 
found slumber,  left  the  camp  armed  with  one  of  the 
fowling-pieces  and  eleven  cartridges,  all  that  re- 
mained of  their  store. 

It  was  necessary  no  time  should  be  lost  in  making 
a  change  of  quarters,  and  Eoy  was  fully  sensible  of 
this  fact.  Now'  he  resolutely  put  from  his  mind  all 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  2?1 

thoughts  of  danger,  and  set  about  finding  such  a 
ulace  as  promised  complete  concealment  from 
travelers. 

To  this  end  he  went  due  west  from  the  water, 
scanning  the  forest  jealously,  and  before  walking 
ten  minutes  came  upon  an  open  spot  which  bore 
every  evidence  of  having  been  cultivated. 

This  promised  to  be  a  very  disagreeable  discovery, 
for  it  was  only  reasonable  to  suppose  a  tribe  of 
Indians  were  in  the  vicinity,  and  he  stole  cautiously 
forward  until  it  was  possible  to  see  a  tiny  hut  which 
looked  hardly  large  enough  to  provide  a  shelter  for 
more  than  one  or  two  persons. 

"  According  to  the  size  of  that  there  can't  be  very 
many  people  living  here,"  he  said  to  himself,  "  and 
I'll  run  the  risk  of  asking  them  for  assistance." 

He  had  hardly  arrived  at  this  conclusion,  and  was 
about  to  step  out  from  among  the  foliage,  when  a 
man  came  around  the  corner  of  the  building. 

This  in  itself  would  have  caused  Koy  no  surprise, 
for  he  was  half  expecting  some  such  appearance ; 
but  his  astonishment  bordered  on  bewilderment  as 
he  saw  that  the  stranger  was  white. 

In  another  instant  he  had  come  into  full  view,  and 
now  the  surprise  was  mutual,  the  man  gazing  at  the 
boy  as  if  doubting  the  evidence  of  his  own  senses. 

In  the  fewest  possible  words  Koy  explained  why 
he  was  there,  concluding  by  saying : 

"  Both  my  companions  are  unable  to  move ;  there 
is  every  chance  Indians  will  come  up  the  river,  and 
we  shall  be  taken  prisoners,  as  at  the  Woolwa  vil- 
lage, unless  some  move  is  made  immediately." 


TREASURE-FINDERS. 

The  stranger  looked  at  the  lad  curiously  for  a  mo- 
ment and  then  called,  sharply : 

"Pedrito!" 

In  response  to  this  summons  a  small  boy,  who 
evidently  had  both  Spanish  and  Indian  blood  in  his 
veins,  came  from  among  the  foliage  in  the  rear  of 
the  house  and  stood  as  if  awaiting  orders.  The  man 
spoke  rapidly,  in  a  language  which  Koy  did  not  un- 
derstand, and  then  said  to  his  visitor : 

"  We  will  go  at  once  for  your  friends.  They  can 
remain  with  me  until  you  are  ready  to  leave.  Shall 
you  tramp  over  the  range  in  order  to  reach  the  Col- 
oney  plantation  ?" 

"  We  don't  dare  to  go  that  way.  Tongla  thought 
it  would  be  best  to  keep  on  to  the  coast." 

"  Is  your  father  at  home  ?" 

"  He  should  be  by  this  time," 

"And  he  is  alarmed  because  of  your  long  ab- 
sence P 

u  I  am  afraid  so." 

The  stranger  halted,  talked  for  several  moments 
with  the  half-breed  boy,  and  then  turning  abruptly, 
walked  with  the  little  fellow  into  the  hut. 

Unable  to  account  for  this  strange  proceeding, 
Hoy  remained  where  he  had  been  left  for  ten  or  fif- 
teen minutes,  and  at  the  end  of  that  time  the  man 
reappeared  alone. 

"  You  and  I  can  bring  the  invalids  here,"  he  said 
as  he  started  in  the  direction  of  the  river,  leaving 
his  guest  to  follow  or  remain  behind,  as  might  best 
suit  him. 

As  a  matter  of  course  Roy  kept  very  near  the 


THE  TREASURE^FINDERS. 

stranger ;  but  not  another  word  was  spoken  until 
they  arrived  at  the  river-bank,  when  Hoy  took  the 
lead  and  conducted  his  new  friend  to  the  encamp- 
ment. 

The  man  first  examined  Dean,  much  as  a  physi- 
cian might  have  done,  and  after  a  few  moments  said, 
quietly : 

"  He  is  in  no  danger.  To-morrow  it  will  be  pos- 
sible for  him  to  move  around  a  little." 

Then  he  approached  Tongla,  who  displayed  every 
evidence  of  surprise  at  seeing  a  white  man  in  that 
place,  and  after  taking  off  the  bandages,  shook 
his  head  to  imply  that  he  thought  this  a  serious 
case. 

"  I  will  maken  litter,"  he  said  to  Roy.  "  The  In- 
dian must  be  carried,  or  the  wounds  may  re-open, 
when  he  would  surely  bleed  to  death." 

"  Is  he  wounded  badly  ?" 

"  He  may  recover  sooner  than  I  expect,"  was  the 
evasive  reply,  as  the  man  set  about  hewing  down 
several  small  saplings  with  which  to  construct  a 
litter. 

Roy  insisted  on  aiding  him,  and  while  they  worked 
the  stranger  became  more  communicative. 

"  It  kinder  surprised  you  to  see  a  white  man  in 
this  part  of  the  country,  I  reckon  ?" 

"  That  is  a  fact.  I  don't  think  even  Tongla  knew 
any  one  lived  near  here." 

"  It  ain't  safe  to  make  many  acquaintances,  an'  I 
keep  pretty  snug  the  greater  portion  of  the  time. 
You  see  I've  got  considerable  curiosity  in  these  'ere 
buried  cities,  an'  as  there  happens  to  be  one  close  by 


274  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

that  hasn't  been  overhauled  very  much,  I  kinder  lay 
low,  with  Pedrito  an'  his  father  to  help  along  in 
the  way  of  huntin'  an'  fishinV 

Eoy  believed  he  knew  why  this  man,  who  used 
such  an  unmistakable  Yankee  twang,  was  interested 
in  buried  cities.  The  golden  idols,  which  looked  like 
so  many  packages  of  provisions,  told  what  might  be 
found  among  these  vestiges  of  a  forgotten  race,  and 
it  was  safe  to  assume  the  stranger  had  come  in 
search  of  treasure. 

"  How  long  have  you  been  here  ?" 

"  Nigh  on  to  a  year." 

"  Do  you  intend  to  remain  permanently  ?" 

"  Bless  you,  no.  I'm  about  ready  to  leave  now, 
an'  shouldn't  be  surprised  if  we  traveled  together 
when  that  Indian  of  yours  can  walk." 

"  We  shall  be  more  than  glad  of  your  company, 
Mr. " 

"My  name  is  Wiggle — Seth  Wiggle." 

"  If  you  are  with  us,  there  will  be  more  chance  of 
resisting  an  attack  in  case  one  is  made." 

"I  don't  count  on  takin'  any  risks  when  I  get 
ready  to  leave  this  place.  I  haven't  got  much  truck 
to  carry,  but  want  to  count  on  takin'  through  what 
I've  been  gather  in'." 

At  this  intimation  of  hig  having  found  treasure, 
at  least  that  was  the  construction  Roy  put  upon  it, 
the  latter  was  almost  tempted  to  reveal  his  own 
secret ;  but  after  a  few  seconds'  reflection  he  decided 
it  might  not  be  safe.  Forty  pounds  of  gold  would 
induce  many  men  to  commit  a  great  crime ;  and  al- 
though Mr.  Wiggle  appeared  to  be  honest,  there 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  2?5 

was  no  urgent  reason  why  he  should  be  given  an 
opportunity  to  act  otherwise. 

While  working,  the  searcher  among  buried  cities 
asked  many  questions  relative  to  Koy's  father,  and 
his  prospects  for  making  indigo-raising  a  profitable 
enterprise,  and  by  the  time  his  curiosity  had  been 
gratified  the  litter  was  completed. 

"  We'll  carry  your  brother  first,"  Mr.  Wiggle 
said,  as  he  approached  the  hammock.  "You 
needn't  take  him  out,  but  just  slack  up  on  the  ropes 
till  he  is  lowered  gently  on  to  the  wagon." 

By  traveling  as  rapidly  as  the  tangled  foliage 
would  permit,  the  first  invalid  was  swinging  in  his 
hammock  under  the  shade  of  a  venerable  logwood- 
tree  at  the  rear  of  the  Yankee's  hut  in  a  very  short 
space  of  time,  and  the  bearers  were  on  their  way  to 
the  encampment  again. 

Tongla  had  grown  rapidly  worse  when  they  saw 
him  again,  and  the  man  said,  with  a  troubled  look : 

"  That  is  just  what  I  was  afraid  of.  The  fever 
has  set  in,  an'  we  shall  have  him  on  our  hands  a  long 
spell." 

"  Why  should  he  have  a  fever  2"  Koy  asked,  in 
surprise. 

"  It  most  always  follows  a  row  of  this  kind ;  but 
if  he  comes  out  of  it  the  marks  of  the  jaguar's 
claws  won't  amount  to  very  much,  though  he'll  be 
likely  to  carry  the  scars  as  long  as  he  lives." 

The  Indian  boy  was  placed  on  the  litter,  as  Dean 
had  been;  and  then  the  bearers  were  forced  to  walk 
slowly  lest  too  severe  jolting  should  prove  fatal. 

It  was  nearly  noon  when  Tongla  Had  been  cared 


THEASURE-FINDERS. 

for ;  and,  despite  the  intense  heat,  Mr.  Wiggle  pro- 
posed that  no  time  be  lost  in  putting  the  pitpan  out 
of  sight. 

"  I  don't  reckon  your  luggage  is  very  valuable," 
he  said ;  "  but  you'll  likely  need  it,  an'  we'd  better 
get  the  stuff  up  here  right  soon." 

Roy  thought  it  strange  that  Pedrito  was  not 
called  to  remain  with  the  invalids  during  his  and 
Mr.  Wiggle's  absence;  but  as  the  latter  gave  no 
sign  of  summoning  him,  nothing  could  be  said. 

But  little  time  was  spent  in  caring  for  the  pitpan. 
She  was  carried  into  the  thicket,  about  a  hundred 
yards  from  the  river,  and  there  left  to  the  mercy  of 
the  first  who  might  chance  to  discover  the  hiding- 
place. 

When  it  came  to  a  question  of  transporting  the 
provisions  to  the  hut,  Hoy  was  careful  to  take  the 
bundles  in  which  were  packed  the  idols  lest  the 
great  weight  should  arouse  suspicion,  and  he  stag- 
gered on  under  the  burden,  trying  to  appear  as  if  it 
was  no  heavier  than  Mr.  Wiggle's  share. 

Both  the  laborers  felt  thoroughly  tired  when  this 
last  task  had  been  performed,  and  until  the  sun  had 
sunk  low  in  the  western  heavens  nothing  was  done 
save  to  wait  upon  the  invalids. 

Dean  was  very  nearly  himself  by  this  time,  but 
Tongla  had  continued  to  grow  worse,  until  now  he 
did  not  appear  to  know  those  around  him,  but  talked 
constantly  in  his  native  language. 

"What  shall  we  do  if  he  is  sick  a  long  while?" 
Dean  asked,  anxiously;  and  his  brother  replied, 
with  a  sigh : 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  277 

"  I  don't  know ;  but  one  thing  is  certain — we  are 
bound  to  stay  by  him." 

"  That  goes  without  saying ;  but,  Roy,  it  surely 
does  seem  as  if  there  was  some  truth  in  what  he  has 
said  about  the  vengeance  of  the  gods.  I  don't  be- 
lieve three  fellows  could  again  run  into  as  much 
danger  in  the  same  time  as  we  have  since  leaving 
the  ruins.  Matters  seemed  bad  enough  when  we 
were  at  the  Woolwa  village,  but  they  are  much 
worse  now,  and  it  appears  as  if  we  should  never 
reach  the  coast." 

"  We  mustn't  think  of  such  foolish  things.  Of 
course  we  know  those  images  of  gold  can  have 
nothing  to  do  with  our  misadventures,  and  it  isn't 
well  even  to  speak  of  the  ridiculous  idea.  When  we 
leave  here  this  man  is  to  go  with  us,  and  I  fancy  our 
troubles  will  be  over." 

"  What's  that  ?  Talkin'  about  gettin'  home,  eh  ?" 
And  as  he  spoke  Mr.  Wiggle  came  from  the  hut, 
where  he  had  been  enjoying  his  siesta.  "  Don't  gei 
downhearted,  for  I'll  see  to  it  there's  nothin'  to 
harm  when  we  shake  the  dust  of  this  place  off  our 
feet.  I'm  countin'  on  goin'  to  the  indigo  plantation 
with  you,  for  it  may  be  I'll  try  my  hand  at  the  same 
business,  an'  it'll  be  a  good  chance  to  see  how  the 
thing's  done." 

Then  the  gentleman  began  to  cook  a  hearty  sup- 
per, not  hesitating  to  avail  himself  of  Hoy's  offer 
that  the  roasted  birds  and  tapir-meat  be  used,  and 
the  boys  were  at  a  loss  to  understand  the  reason  for 
Pedrito's  continued  absence. 

Mr.  Wiggle  was  by  no  means  an  adept  in  the  art 


278  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

of  preparing  chocolate ;  but  he  made  up  in  quantity 
what  was  lacking  in  quality,  and  the  white  boys 
were  not  disposed  to  find  fault.  But  for  this  man 
they  would  have  been  alone  with  Tongla,  uncertain 
as  to  what  should  be  done  to  give  him  relief,  and 
everything  seemed  very  nearly  correct. 

When  the  evening  meal  had  been  eaten  the  In- 
dian boy's  hammock,  with  him  in  it,  was  carried  to 
the  one  room  of  the  hut  where  he  would  be  shel- 
tered from  the  dew,  and  then  Mr.  Wiggle  proposed 
that  they  "  turn  in  "  for  the  night. 

"  I'll  allow  that  it's  a  little  early,"  he  said,  "  but 
we've  got  considerable  work  to  do,  an'  the  mos- 
quitoes make  things  a  trifle  lively  unless  a  fellow 
sticks  his  head  into  smoke  so  thick  that  it's  an  open 
question  in  my  mind  as  to  which  is  the  worst." 

"  Don't  you  stand  watch  ?"  Koy  asked. 

"Not  a  bit  of  it.  Why  should  we?  This  is  too 
near  what  the  Indians  call  the  river  god's  home  for 
us  to  be  bothered  with  visitors,  an'  I  go  in  for  get- 
tin'  a  full  night's  sleep." 

This  arrangement  was  perfectly  satisfactory  to 
Roy,  and  it  was  not  yet  nine  o'clock  when  all  the 
party,  with  the  possible  exception  of  Tongla,  were 
wrapped  in  profound  slumber. 


THE  TREA8UHE-FINDERS.  279 


CHAPTER  XXIX. 

RESCUED. 

QEVERAL  times  during  the  night  Mr.  Wiggle 
O  attended  to  the  wounded  boy's  wants  in  the 
way  of  giving  him  water,  renewing  the  poultices  of 
cooling  leaves,  or  feeding  him  with  small  portions  of 
plantains,  and  when  the  morning  dawned  he  ap- 
peared to  be  quite  comfortable. 

Dean  was  as  well  as  usual.  The  effects  of  the 
guaco  yet  remained  in  some  slight  degree,  but  not 
to  the  extent  of  impairing  his  health. 

"  I  feel  even  better  than  before  the  snake  bit  me," 
he  said,  laughingly ;  "  and  if  Mr.  Wiggle  wants  any 
work  done,  I'm  the  one  on  whom  to  call." 

"  You  can  tend  to  the  Indian,  your  brother  may 
see  to  the  cooking,  an'  I'll  snoop  'round  a  bit  on  a 
job  that  oughter  be  'tended  to  right  away." 

Roy  began  his  portion  of  the  task  at  once,  for  the 
host  had  started  toward  the  river  as  he  ceased 
speaking,  and  Dean  took  advantage  of  the  oppor- 
tunity to  search  for  the  same  kind  of  palm-trees  as 
Tongla  had  used  in  making  the  imitation  lemonade. 

"  I  know  how  good  that  stuff  tastes  when  a  fellow 
is  sick  and  thirsty,"  he  said,  "  and  we'll  give  him  all 
he  wants," 


280  TEE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Dean  had  finished  the  work,  five  palms  standing 
against  the  hut  as  proof  of  his  industry,  when  Mr. 
Wiggle  returned.  The  breakfast  had  been  prepared 
for  some  time,  and  the  re-warmed  roasts  not  im- 
proved by  waiting ;  but  the  owner  of  the  hut  did 
not  make  any  comments ;  he  appeared  troubled,  and 
Roy  asked : 

"  Did  you  see  anything  while  at  the  river  ?" 

"  I  didn't  go  there." 

"I  thought  from  the  way  you  looked  that  the 
Indians  might  be  around." 

"It  wouldn't  trouble  me  much  if  fifty  of  'em 
should  send  word  that  they  were  coniin'  to  clean  me 
out.  A  good  repeatin'  rifle  an'  two  revolvers  will 
keep  a  whole  tribe  at  a  respectful  distance.  I  was 
kinder  fussin'  about  somethin'  else." 

Inasmuch  as  he  did  not  explain  what  this  "  some- 
thing "  was,  Roy  remained  silent,  and  after  a  few  mo- 
ments Dean  was  about  to  stroll  through  the  thicket 
at  the  back  of  the  hut,  when  Mr.  Wiggle  said, 
almost  sharply : 

"  Hold  on  a  minute,  I've  got  a  word  to  say." 

Dean  sat  down  on  the  ground  prepared  to  give 
his  undivided  attention,  and  Roy  looked  up  expect- 
antly ;  but  the  gentleman  showed  no  sign  of  saying 
his  "  word." 

Five  minutes  passed,  and  when  the  boys  had 
begun  to  believe  they  were  mistaken  in  thinking  he 
requested  them  to  remain,  Mr.  Wiggle  said,  speak- 
ing with  great  deliberation : 

"  I've  never  told  you  why  I  camped  out  here  in  the 
wilderness,  nor  I  wouldn't  if  the  thing  could  be 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  281 

helped ;  but  seein's  how  we'll  most  likely  travel  to- 
gether after  Pedrito  gets  back,  it's  no  use  to  hang 
off.  I  come  here  to  snoop  'round  these  buried  cities 
thinkin'  I  might  find  somethin'  worth  carryin'  off." 

"  You  mean  gold,"  Roy  interrupted. 

"  Why  ?  What  do  you  know  about  such  a  metal 
bein'  in  these  places  ?" 

Roy  hesitated  an  instant,  and  then  replied,  cau- 
tiously : 

"There  could  hardly  be  anything  else,  for  these 
towns  have  been  abandoned  hundreds  of  years." 

"  Can  you  tell  me  who  did  build  'em  ?"  and  now 
Mr.  Wiggle  showed  signs  of  great  interest.  "I've 
puzzled  my  head  a  sight  tryin'  to  figger  out  how 
an'  why  the  fine  houses,  for  they  ain't  much  less 
than  palaces,  have  been  left  to  go  to  the  dogs." 

"  A  good  many  people  have  tried  the  same  thing, 
but  no  one  has  yet  succeeded  to  the  satisfaction  of 
the  students  in  such  matters." 

"  Tell  me  what  you've  heard  about  them." 

"  I  have  read  that  the  ruins  were  discovered  by 
the  Spaniards  in  the  year  1750,  and  they  then  ap- 
peared to  have  been  long  deserted.  Some  believe 
they  were  built  by  the  Toltecs,  and  others  that  the 
Aztecs — or  a  portion  of  the  nation — were  in  pos- 
session of  the  country  as  far  south  as  this.  It  seems 
to  be  the  opinion  of  all  who  have  studied  them  that 
the  cities  were  built  about  the  year  1100,  and  it  is 
said  that  the  general  style  of  the  buildings  are 
strikingly  like  specimens  of  architecture  known  to 
have  been  erected  by  the  Toltecs  in  the  seventh  cent- 
ury," 


282  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

"  That's  quite  a  spell  ago,  ain't  it  ?" 

"  Yes,"  Koy  replied,  laughingly ;  "  but  I  thought 
you  had  something  to  tell  us  about  the  ruins." 

"  Me  ?  Bless  you,  no — leastways,  nothin'  about 
the  towns  themselves.  I  kinder  drifted  'round  here, 
thinkin'  it  might  be  possible  to  dicker  with  the  na- 
tives, an'  got  set  on  the  piles  of  stone,  thinkin' 
gold  might  be  found,  for  people  do  say  there  has 
been  a  pile  of  the  yellow  stuff  in  this  country." 

"  And  you  have  been  hunting  for  it  ?" 

"  Well,  to  tell  the  truth  I  have  done  somethin'  of 
that  sort." 

"Did  you  find  any?" 

Mr.  Wiggle  looked  at  the  questioner  an  instant,  as 
if  asking  himself  whether  it  would  be  safe  to  trust 
the  boys,  and,  evidently  deciding  in  the  affirmative, 
he  began,  with  a  great  show  of  confidence : 

"  I  ain't  sayin'  as  this  story'd  been  told  if  I  didn't 
count  on  leavin'  here  with  you,  when  the  whole 
thing  would  have  to  come  out.  I've  found  a  little 
of  what  the  miners  call  i  color,'  an'  it's  goin'  to 
make  a  decently  big  load." 

Now  Koy  did  not  hesitate  to  reveal  his  secret,  and 
he  asked,  as  he  unrolled  the  largest  idol  from  its 
wrapping  of  leaves : 

"  Did  you  find  your  gold  in  this  form  ?" 

"  Geewhittaker !  If  I  didn't  know  you  brought 
that  with  you  I'd  say  it  was  one  I've  got  up  here  in 
the  woods.  Where  did  you  get  it  ?" 

Eoy  told  his  story  in  detail,  and  when  he  con- 
cluded the  elder  treasure-finder  said,  thoughtfully : 

"I  never  thought  the  Indians  might  kick  up  a 


or  TMI 
UNIVERSITY   ) 

Of  / 

- 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  283 


row  about  them  little  figgers  bein'  lugged  off  1  So 
that  was  why  you  didn't  dare  to  go  over  the 
range  ?" 

"  The  Sukia  and  her  followers  are  probably  guard- 
ing all  the  passes,  in  the  belief  that  we  must  cross 
in  order  to  reach  home." 

"You'll  outwit  'em  yet,"  Mr.  Wiggle  said,  with  a 
chuckle  of  satisfaction. 

"  I  wish  we  were  sure  of  that,"  Dean  replied,  de- 
spondently ;  "  but  according  to  the  way  we  have 
been  traveling  we  shall  be  gray  -headed  before  get- 
ting out  of  the  river." 

"I'll  answer  for  it  that  that  part  comes  all 
right.  Hold  on  a  bit,  an'  I'll  show  you  some  of  my 
figgers." 

Mr.  Wiggle  ran  into  the  thicket  hastily,  and 
while  he  was  absent  Roy  said,  hopefully  : 

"  I  truly  believe  the  greater  portion  of  our  troub- 
les are  over.  lie  is  quite  as  eager  as  we  to  leave 
here,  and  will  find  a  way  when  Tongla  is  able  to 
travel." 

At  this  point  the  Indian  boy  awoke,  and  asked  for 
a  drink  of  water. 

"  You  shall  have  what  you  gave  me,"  Dean  cried, 
as  he  brought  one  of  the  palm-trunks.  "  I  fixed  it 
a  few  hours  ago,  and  there  is  enough  for  a  good,  big 
drink." 

The  liquid  was  refreshing,  and  after  Tongla  had 
satisfied  his  thirst  with  a  generous  quantity  he 
whispered  : 

"  Where  are  we  2" 

Boy  told  him  all  they  had  learned  regarding  Mr. 


284  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

Wiggle,  and  he  closed  his  eyes  with  the  air  of  one 
who  feels  perfectly  at  ease. 

"  There  will  be  no  trouble  if  you  have  found  an- 
other white  man,  and  I  must  make  haste  to  get  well 
that  we  may  start  once  more  for  the  hacienda." 

"  There  is  plenty  of  time ;  no  move  will  be  made 
until  you  are  strong  again." 

At  this  moment  the  owner  of  the  hut  returned, 
bearing  in  his  arms,  as  if  they  were  a  heavy  burden, 
four  golden  figures  similar  to  those  the  boys  had 
brought  so  far. 

"  Not  bad,  eh  ?"  Mr.  Wiggle  asked  with  pride,  as 
he  stood  them  against  the  hut  and  then  stepped  back 
a  few  paces  to  observe  the  general  effect.  "  I've  got 
two  more,  an'  reckon  the  mine  is  about  cleaned  out. 
It  may  be  that  the  place  yours  came  from  would 
pan  out  pretty  well,  but  more'n  one  man  would  be 
needed." 

Tongla  raised  his  head  sufficiently  to  see  the  yel- 
low^ gu  res,  and  then  laid  back  again  with  a  long- 
drawn  sigh.  That  which  caused  the  white  members 
of  the  party  so  much  joy  was  to  him  the  symbol  of 
suffering  to  be  endured  in  the  future,  and  the  sight 
was  not  pleasing. 

During  the  remainder  of  the  day  but  little  was 
talked  of  save  the  idols,  and  only  when  the  party  re- 
tired was  the  subject  dropped.  Mr.  Wiggle  offered 
to  take  them  to  the  ruins  where  his  discoveries  were 
made,  but  the  invitation  was  rejected,  because  they 
had  no  especial  desire  to  see  what  could  be  but  little 
different  from  the  collection  of  buildings  where 
many  disagreeable  hours  had  been  spent. 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  285 

There  was  nothing  to  be  done  save  wait  until 
Tongla  recovered,  and  during  the  next  week  Hoy 
and  Dean  did  little  else  save  sit  by  his  side  or  lounge 
in  their  hammocks. 

Mr.  Wiggle  did  all  the  hunting  necessary  to  sup- 
ply  the  household  with  food,  and  insisted  on  acting 
as  cook,  because,  as  he  said,  "  some  folks  could  fix 
up  a  meal  better  than  others." 

It  was  a  reflection  upon  Koy's  skill  as  cook,  but 
that  did  not  trouble  him,  in  view  of  the  fact  that  he 
was  thus  relieved  from  a  very  disagreeable  duty. 
He  and  his  brother  waited  attentively  upon  the  in- 
valid, and  had  the  great  satisfaction  of  seeing  him 
improve  each  day,  until  the  time  came  when  he  was 
able  to  take  short  walks  during  the  earlier  portions 
of  the  day. 

"It  won't  be  long  now  before  we  can  leave," 
Dean  said,  on  the  morning  of  the  ninth  day.  "  With 
Mr.  Wiggle  to  help,  we  can  do  the  paddling,  and  all 
he  has  to  do  is  play  the  part  of  passenger." 

"  I  am  ready  now,"  the  Indian  said,  quickly.  "  It 
is  not  well  to  stay  here  too  long,  although  the  white 
man  should  know  best." 

"  Let's  speak  to  him  about  going,"  Dean  suggest- 
ed ;  and  his  brother  replied : 

"  I  fancy  he  has  sent  that  boy  Pedrito  somewhere, 
and  does  not  intend  to  leave  here  until  he  comes 
back." 

"  Then  we  are  likely  to  start  pretty  soon ;"  and 
Dean  pointed  toward  a  more  open  portion  of  the 
forest,  where  the  boy  was  emerging  from  among  the 
trees. 


286  THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

As  Hoy  looked  up  two  or  three  men  appeared  di- 
rectly behind  Pedrito,  as  if  following  him. 

"Do  you  suppose  he  went  for  them?"  Dean 
asked ;  and  the  next  instant  he  leaped  to  his  feet 
with  a  cry  of  joy,  for  he  saw  directly  in  the  rear  of 
the  new-comers  his  own  father,  who  appeared  to  be 
leading  quite  a  body  of  men. 

The  boys  were  plunged  into  a  state  of  almost  de- 
lirious delight,  and  it  was  not  until  nearly  a  quarter 
of  an  hour  had  elapsed  that  they  thought  to  ask 
how  he  happened  to  be  there  in  Pedrito's  company, 

"  I  reckon  I'm  to  blame  for  that  part  of  it,"  Mr. 
Wiggle  said,  with  a  smirk  of  satisfaction.  "  When 
you  told  me  where  his  plantation  was  located,  I 
kinder  figgered  that  Pedrito  could  find  the  place,  or 
his  father  might,  which  amounts  to  the  same  thing, 
so  I  packed  him  off  before  we  brought  either  Dean 
or  Tongla  up  to  the  hut." 

"  Then  mother  is  at  home  ?"  Hoy  asked. 

"  Yes,  and  has  been  in  a  painful  state  of  anxiety 
until  this  boy  arrived,  but  now  believes  I  will  bring 
you  back  in  safety." 

Not  until  after  a  hearty  meal  had  been  served 
would  Mr.  Wiggle  give  his  guests  an  opportunity 
for  a  confidential  chat. 

"  It  don't  pay  to  talk  on  an  empty  stomach,  an'  I 
reckon  you'll  do  a  good  deal  of  chinnin'  before  the 
yarn  has  been  spun." 

It  was  a  long  story  which  the  boys  had  to  tell, 
and  then  their  host  had  a  few  words  to  say. 

"  I  counted  on  a  little  lift  when  I  sent  Pedrito 
after  you,"  he  said  to  Mr.  Coloney.  "  I've  got  a  bit 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS.  28? 

of  gold  myself,  an'  if  we  all  travel  together  there 
won't  be  much  danger  of  losin'  it.  It'll  be  a  fair 
thing  all  around,  an'  you've  got  men  enough  to 
divide  up  the  loads  so  they  won't  be  heavy." 

"  What  you  have  done  for  my  sons  is  sufficient  to 
make  me  your  creditor,  and  I  shall  be  only  too  well 
pleased  to  render  any  service  in  my  power." 

This  portion  of  the  matter  being  settled,  it  simply 
remained  to  fix  the  time  of  departure,  which  Tongla 
insisted  should  be  on  the  next  day. 

"  With  no  load  to  carry  I  can  travel  as  well  now 
as  before  the  jaguar  leaped  upon  me,  therefore  it  is 
not  necessary  to  remain  a  moment  after  you  are 
rested." 

Mr.  Coloney  thought  as  did  the  Indian,  and  it  was 
decided  to  leave  on  the  following  morning  at  sun- 
rise. 

There  is  no  reason  to  write  any  more  relative  to 
the  treasure-finders.  Mr.  Coloney's  party  was  so 
large  that  the  Sukia's  followers  were  not  feared,  and 
the  journey  was  made  without  incident.  One  week 
from  the  time  of  Perdito's  return  the  boys  were 
'  with  their  mother,  and  no  happier  family  could  have 
been  found  in  Nicaragua. 

Mr.  Wiggle  remained  on  the  plantation  a  fort- 
night, when,  with  an  escort  consisting  of  four 
trusty  Indians,  Perdito  and  his  father,  he  started  for 
the  ruins  where  the  boys  found  their  treasure. 
Whether  he  succeeded  in  his  purpose  none  of  our 
friends  ever  knew,  for  not  one  of  the  party  was 
seen  again,  and  if  they  did  not  follow  down  the 
river  to*  the  coast,  the  Sukia's  followers  must  have 


THE  TREASURE-FINDERS. 

wreaked  the  vengeance  from  which  the  boys  es- 
caped. 

What  was  done  with  the  three  idols  ? 

At  present  they  are  still  in  Mr.  Coloney's  posses- 
sion, but  a  letter  from  Roy  states  that  they  are  soon 
to  be  sold,  and  with  the  proceeds  a  second  indigo 
plantation  is  to  be  purchased  for  the  young  TREAS- 

URE-FlNDERS. 


THE  END. 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  LIBRARY 


THIS  BOOK  IS  DUE  ON  THE  LAST  DATE 
STAMPED  BELOW 


OCT  21  1916 
DEC    2  l$lf 

r 


AUG  30 


1931 


30m- 6, '14 


c 


